Author/Editor		Mušič, E; Vencelj, B; Bajrovič, N; Eržen, R; Šorli, J
Title		Hospitaly treated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly
Type		članek
Source		Atemwegs- Lungenkr
Vol. and No.		Letnik 25, št. 9
Publication year		1999
Volume		str. 468-71
Language		eng
Abstract		The prevalence of CAP in the elderly is increasing as elderly population expands. It is estimated that CAP in elderly has different clinical characteristics than in other age groups. Clinical picture of CAP is often incomplete and features of infection can be absent, hence early diagnosis and treatment can be delayed. The aim of our study was to asses clinical aspects of CAP in elderly patients requiring hospitalization. Retrospective analysis of clinical history, clinical symptoms, chest X-ray, laboratory results, etiology, treatment and outcome in 53 cases of hospital treated CAP in patients over 65 years was undertaken. Main symptoms ot CAP were cough (74%), dyspnea (70%) and fever (53%). Combination of these three symptoms was observed in only one third of patients. Purulent sputum (41%), pleuritic pain (36%) and chills (25%) were less common. Other features of infection like fever and increased leukocyte counts were absent in over than one third of patients. Acute confusion as associated symtom of CAP was observed in 28% of cases. Impairment of comorbid chronic illness was common. Namely 89% of patiens had comorbidity, mosty heart failure and or COPD. Etiologic diagnosis was astablished in 34% of patients. The mortality rate in this study of hospitalized elderly patients with CAP was 14%.
Descriptors		COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS PNEUMONIA HOSPITALIZATION AGED TREATMENT OUTCOME