Mortality predictors in community-acquired pneumonia.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine mortality predictors among patients admitted for community-acquired pneumonia to the medical wards of Ladoke Akintola University of Teaching Hospital between Jan. 2003 and Dec. 2005. METHODS: The case notes of 65 patients admitted for community-acquired pneumonia were studied with respect to their admission Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) (Score) and functional class. The duration of admission, side of lung affected on chest X-ray, co-morbid illness and outcome were also noted. RESULTS: The mean Pneumonia Severity Index score for patients who were discharged and those who died was 65.48 +/- 32.6 and 95.47 +/- 32.9 respectively (P<0.05). Bedridden patients have higher mortality than patients who walked without problems on admission (P<0.05). The mean duration of admission of discharged patients was 9.5 +/- 8.9 days while that of patients who died was 4.82 +/- 2.7 days (P<0.05). The side of lung involvement of chest X-ray does not seem to affect mortality (P>0.05). Sixteen co-morbid illnesses were identified. CONCLUSION: The Pneumonia Severity Index score remains an important mortality predictor in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, but there is need to widen its scope to include functional class, duration of admission, and locally important co-morbid illnesses.

Author information

Author/s: Tanimowo, M O (MO);

Affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology College of Medicine, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. mtanimowo2004(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Nigerian journal of clinical practice (Niger J Clin Pract), published in Nigeria. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 12 (issue 3) : pp 298-301

Dates: Created 2009/10/06; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19803030, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.