Risk factors for pneumonia after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is currently a popular method of administering enteral feeding. Most of these patients are elderly, debilitated, and chronically ill. They are on a number of medications and have multiple diseases. With impaired consciousness and swallowing disability, these patients are prone to develop pneumonia. In order to identify possible risk factors, we followed 24 men who underwent PEG for the occurrence of pneumonia or until they died. We then analyzed the medical records of these patients for potential risk factors for pneumonia. The presence of esophagitis during PEG placement endoscopy and history of pneumonia prior to PEG were significant risk factors. Advanced age and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) tended to indicate a higher risk of pneumonia. Taking these risk factors into consideration may be beneficial in the management of such patients.