Risk factors for acute stroke-associated pneumonia and prediction of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios

•The risk factors for stroke-associated pneumonia are multifaceted.•Cerebral hemorrhage and nasogastric tube are independent risk factors of SAP.•Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has a predictive effect on SAP.•Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an easy-to-obtain SAP indicator.