Risk factors for pneumonia in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: A single-center retrospective study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Apr;99(17):e19802. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019802.

Abstract

To identify the risk factors of pneumonia in patients with Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (Anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis.This is a retrospective study.Department of Neurology in West China Hospital of Sichuan University.Patients with a definitive diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.Risk factors associated with pneumonia were examined by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model.A total of 104 patients were included in this study, of which 41% patients (n = 43) were diagnosed with pneumonia at 7 days (range: 4-40 days) after admission. The occurrence of pneumonia was associated with prolonged hospital stays, a higher rate of poor outcome, and extra healthcare costs. Risk factors associated with pneumonia included Glasgow coma scale score (GCS), abnormal movements and hypokalemia.Pneumonia is a common complication in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. In the present study, we found that disorders of consciousness, abnormal movements, and hypokalemia were independent risk factors for pneumonia in inpatients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Pneumonia prolongs the patients' hospital stay, hospitalization expenditures, and affects the patients' prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / complications*
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / physiopathology
  • Child
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / etiology*
  • Pneumonia / physiopathology
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors