Aspiration-related illnesses: definitions and diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Aspiration is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It is the most common cause of pneumonia and one of the most serious adverse effects of enteral nutrition support. It is important to use standardized terminology to define and discuss aspiration-related illnesses.


METHODS
Review of the medical literature and extraction of definitions and descriptions of aspiration-related illnesses.


RESULTS
Definitions, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of common aspiration-related illnesses are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Precisely defined terminology of aspiration-related illnesses adds consistency to this area of medicine and simplifies analysis and comparison of clinical studies.
Zaloga
Gary P
GP
Methodist Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA. gzaloga@clarian.org
D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*