Prognostic factors and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized adult patients Estudio multicéntrico de factores pronósticos en adultos hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad

Abstract

Background: Severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients allows the clinician to decide the place of management and guide empirical antimicrobial treatment. Aim: To assess admission prognostic factors and outcome of CAP in immunocompetent adult patients hospitalized in 21 medical centers in Chile. Material and methods: Prospective evaluation of non immunocompromised adults with CAP admitted to 21 Chilean hospitals between July and August, 1999. All patients were assessed on admission and followed until discharge or death. Results: During the study period, 1,194 patients (aged 68±17 years, 573 males) were evaluated. Seventy two percent had an underlying disease (especially chronic cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus), and 90% were treated with β-lactamic agents (especially a third generation cephalosporin or penicillin). Mean hospital length of stay was 11±9 days, 10% were admitted to Intermediate Care or Intensive Care Units (I