Abstract
Background: Although asthma was the most common co-morbidity among patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection, in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) there not data about the influence of asthma in its prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare the differences between asthma and non-asthma hospitalized patients with CAP.
Methods: A prospective study was performed to investigate the characteristics, severity and outcomes of asthma patients hospitalized with CAP, in 2 respiratory clinics and an ICU during 2 years period.
Results: During the study period 272 patients were recruited [median age 69.3 +/-9.5 years] and categorized in two groups: group A, asthma [n=19,age 55 +/- 20)] and group B non-asthma patients (n=251, age 65 +/-18years). Patients with asthma had more frequently comorbitidies (90% vs. 75%, p=0,15). They had received more often antibiotics before admission (56% vs. 40%, p=0,19) and presented earlier to the hospital (3,6 vs. 5,15 days, p=0,382), with lower CURB65 class (1,6 vs. 2,3, p=0, 15) and lower CRP levels (10,78 vs.16, 83, p=0,23). Two patients died, but were elderly (mean age 88 years) persons with other underline diseases
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Conclusions: CAP patients with asthma presented earlier to the hospital and with less severe disease. More data are needed for further evaluation of this comorbidity in pneumonia’s course.
- © 2013 ERS