Incidence and Risk Factors for Bacterial Pneumonia in Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home residents constitute a particularly vulnerable population in whom bacterial pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence of bacterial pneumonia and identify its associated risk factors in a nursing home population. This retrospective observational study was conducted over a one-year period in a nursing home affiliated with a university hospital in France. The incidence of bacterial pneumonia was determined, and potential risk factors were evaluated using descriptive, univariable, and multivariable statistical analyses. A total of 392 residents were included (mean age, 84.5 years; 41.4% men and 58.6% women). Seventy-three residents (18.6%) experienced at least one episode of bacterial pneumonia during the study period. Heart failure was independently associated with an increased risk of bacterial pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 3.22, p = 0.002), as were swallowing disorders (OR 2.11, p = 0.011). Conversely, neurocognitive disorders and a history of chronic alcohol use were associated with a lower risk of bacterial pneumonia (OR 0.22, p = 0.0002, and OR 0.27, p = 0.007, respectively). Heart failure and swallowing disorders were identified as independent risk factors for bacterial pneumonia among nursing home residents. The inverse associations observed with neurocognitive disorders and chronic alcohol use should be interpreted cautiously because they may reflect residual confounding or diagnostic bias. Although pneumococcal vaccination was not associated with a lower incidence of bacterial pneumonia in this cohort, previous studies have consistently demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing disease severity.