Clinical Nutrition Open Science · Published 2026-07-15 · DOI 10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100701
Ryosuke Hamanaka, Nayumi Motomuro, Shoma Hirota, Yuhei Nagaoka, Kenji Umeki, Kosaku Komiya
Background & Aims: Aspiration pneumonia is an infectious pneumonia resulting from impaired swallowing function. Chin-down posture and dietary texture modification are widely recognized and implemented to reduce aspiration risk. However, their combined impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study examined the association of adherence to recommended dietary texture modification, under universal application of the chin-down posture, with reduction in readmission resulting from aspiration pneumonia. Methods: Patients aged 20 years and above who were hospitalized for aspiration pneumonia between January 2017 and December 2019, underwent swallowing evaluation by a speech therapist, and received oral intake were included. All participants were instructed to use the chin-down posture. The primary outcome was readmission within 3 years resulting from aspiration pneumonia. Results: Among 348 inpatients with aspiration pneumonia, 138 had swallowing dysfunction and received oral intake, subsequently included in the analysis. Of these participants, 56 were readmitted within 3 years. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, nonadherence to recommended dietary texture (odds ratio [OR], 5.149; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.658–15.995; P = 0.005), proton pump inhibitor use (OR, 2.422; 95% CI, 1.118–5.250; P = 0.025) and albumin (OR, 2.721; 95% CI, 1.165–6.355; P = 0.021) were significantly associated with readmission. Conclusion: Adherence to the recommended dietary texture, along with the chin-down posture, was associated with a lower risk of aspiration pneumonia readmission in patients with swallowing dysfunction.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Hamanaka, R., Motomuro, N., Hirota, S., et al. (2026). Preventive effects of combined chin-down posture and dietary texture modification on aspiration pneumonia. Clinical Nutrition Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100701