Study of Clinical Profile and Risk Factors of Pneumonia (Cap)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the most common type of pneumonia is one of the commonest infectious diseases and is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in all age groups worldwide. Identifying people at risk for this infection aids in appropriate treatment. Hence, there is a need for a study to know the clinical profile and risk factors of pneumonia (CAP). Aim-To study the clinical profile and risk factors of pneumonia (CAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS50 patients who were admitted with pneumonia over a period of 7 months from 1 st January 2017 to 31 st July 2017 in King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam were studied retrospectively. RESULTSIn this study, majority of cases are males contributing 60%. CAP is commonly seen in the age group of 51-60 years (26%). The study shows that in young patients (age up to 50 years) cough with expectoration (34%) was the most common clinical feature followed by fever (32%) and breathlessness (22%), and among old patients (age above 50 years) fever (58%) was the most common clinical feature followed by cough with expectoration (40%) and breathlessness (22%). Pedal oedema, altered sensorium were present each as 4% but the former was seen in younger group and later was in older group. Among male patients smoking (56%) was the most common risk factor followed by alcohol (40%) and among female patients preceding diabetes (13%) was the most common risk factor. In the present study, the radiological finding (consolidation) was more common on right side constituting about 56% of the cases followed by left side (28%) and bilateral involvement in 16% cases. Right lower lobe involvement is more common in this study. Complications (20%) were more common in males and above 50 years. CONCLUSIONWorld Health Organization's (WHO) global burden of disease study estimated that lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), which include CAP, were 429.2 million. Commonly affected age group is 51-60 years which is the golden period in one's life. Patients, particularly elderly and debilitated having risk factors, should be instructed to seek prompt medical care during the early stages of dyspnoea or fever to prevent complications. Modifiable risk factors should be strictly corrected especially in those who also have fixed risk factors. Identification and determining the clinical patterns and risk factors of Pneumonia (CAP) helps in adoption of regionally optimised diagnostic and therapeutic approach.