Factors Associated With In – Hospital Mortality in Community Acquired Pneumonia in an Irish District Hospital: A Short Report

Abstract

Background: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major health problem worldwide and especially in western countries.

Methods:  A retrospective study was done at Cavan General Hospital, Ireland from January to June 2010. The purpose of the study was to find out factors associated with in–hospital mortality in CAP patients. CAP was defined according to guidelines of British Thora-cic Society.

Results:  In our study the rate of in-hospital mortality was 23%. Patients who died in hospital had signifi-cantly longer duration of hospital stay than those who did not die (14.06, SD ± 15.3 vs 8.00, SD ± 9.04, P 0.04). Older age was significantly associated with in-creased mortality (P < 0.01).Higher CURB – 65 score was also associated with in – hospital mortality (P < 0.01). All the patients (100 %) who died in hospital had co-morbid illness (P < 0.01). Route of antibiotics and admission into ICU were not associated with in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion:  Older age, increased severity of pneu-monia, and co-morbid illnesses were associated with increased in – hospital mortality in community acqui-red pneumonia.

Key words:  Community acquired pneumonia, older age, mortality.