Effects of chlorhexidene gluconate oral care on hospital mortality: a hospital wide, observational cohort study

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Paul Hellyer

Abstract

Increased risk of death in low risk hospitalised patients.

Main

Deschepper M, Waegerman W, Eeckloo K et al. Intensive Care Med 2018; 10.1007/s00134-018-5171-3

Chlorhexidene has been shown to reduce risk of ventilation-induced pneumonia. However, recent studies have indicated a relationship between the use of chlorhexidene oral care and increased mortality in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

This retrospective study, found an association between an increased risk of death and the use of chlorhexidene, particularly in the groups who were considered to be at low risk. Chlorhexidene is known to reduce oral respiratory pathogens and disturb the normal microbiome but it is unlikely that such a short-term effect would cause such lethal complications.

The authors express concerns that the widespread use of the apparently non-toxic mouthwash in non-hospital settings has not been monitored for serious adverse events. There should be a 'reconsideration of the practice of chlorhexidene oral care in patient populations for which an evidence base is lacking'.