Why carry out this study?

Low oral intake levels and malnutrition have been reported to be associated with increased loss of function in aspiration pneumonia.

The relationship between the start of feeding and functional prognosis has not been reported.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the start of feeding and functional prognosis in aspiration pneumonia.

What was learned from this study?

38.8% of patients hospitalized for aspiration pneumonia were readmitted.

In the readmitted patients, the time from admission to the start of feeding was observed to be significantly delayed.

A comprehensive intervention with multidisciplinary collaboration and early dietary initiation training should be performed from the early stage of hospitalization in order to prevent readmission.