This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Latest pneumonia research for physicians
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
In the United States, an estimated 900,000 Americans contract pneumococcal pneumonia every year, with a mortality rate of approximately 5% to 7%, according to the CDC.
Healio.com/Internal Medicine presents the latest research on pneumonia for physicians, including risk factors, alternative treatments and outcomes.
Unusually cold, dry weather precedes high pneumonia, influenza mortality
Respiratory infections are more severe during periods of unusual cold or low humidity, even in a subtropical location with typically high humidity, according to study findings published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. Read more.
Influenza vaccine may protect against pneumonia
Most people hospitalized for influenza-associated pneumonia had not received an influenza vaccine, according to study results published in JAMA. Read more.
Pneumonia during childhood increases COPD risk, decreases lung function in adult smokers
Adults identified as current or former smokers demonstrated an increased risk for COPD and a greater likelihood of decreased lung function if they developed pneumonia as a child, according to study results. Read more.
Discretionary ICU admission for pneumonia improves survival rates
Discretionary admittance to the ICU improved 30-day mortality and resulted in comparable Medicare spending in hospital costs among older patients with pneumonia vs. patients admitted to general wards, according to data recently published in JAMA. Read more.
Commensal oropharyngeal flora may cause ventilator-associated pneumonia
Commensal oropharyngeal flora appeared to be a possible cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia in many patients admitted to the ICU, according to study results. Read more.
Physicians urged to consider alternative treatments for at-risk pneumonia patients
Despite receiving appropriate initial antibiotic therapy, patients with pneumonia with at least two risk factors had greater 30-day mortality than those with fewer risk factors, suggesting the need for adjunctive therapy other than antibiotics for those at greater risk, according to research published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Read more.
Risk for hospitalization from community-acquired pneumonia significantly higher in older adults
The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization is highest among those aged at least 65 years, according to study results. The researchers noted a lack of pathogens in most patients’ diagnostic tests and a more frequent existence of respiratory viruses than bacteria. Read more.