Treatment of pneumonia in elderly patients

Abstract

Pneumonia represents the leading cause of infection-related death and the fifth cause of overall mortality, in the elderly. Several risk factors for acquiring pneumonia in older age have been reported, such as alcoholism, lung and heart diseases, nursing home residence and swallowing disorders. The clinical characteristics of pneumonia in the elderly differ substantially compared with younger patients, and the severity of the disease is strongly associated with increased age and age-related comorbidities. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading pathogen responsible for pneumonia in elderly; enteric Gram-negative rods should be considered in nursing-home-acquired pneumonia, as well anaerobes in patients with aspiration pneumonia. Antimicrobial therapy should take into account the most recent guidelines, which are briefly presented in this review. A special consideration should be given to the preventive measures, including vaccination, oral care and nutrition.

Increased risk of death immediately after losing a spouse: Cause-specific mortality following widowhood in Norway

“…The need for preventative programs during times of peak risk of myocardial infarction has been suggested before (Buckley et al, 2010;Tofler and Muller, 2006;Carey et al, 2014;Mostofsky et al, 2012). Our results indicate that this advice should be expanded to other causes of death including cancer and pneumonia in which assessment and treatment in elderly have been thoroughly described (Balducci et al, 2010;Schmidt-Ioanas and Lode, 2006).…”

Structure of a Complex of Human Lactoferrin N-lobe with Pneumococcal Surface Protein A Provides Insight into Microbial Defense Mechanism

“…40,41 Emergence of antibiotic resistance 42 and limitations of the currently available polysaccharide-based vaccines 43,44 prompted a search for new therapeutic avenues, including identification of cross-reactive protein antigens conserved across capsular serotypes for vaccine preparation. 45,46 PspA is the most intensively studied potential vaccine candidate.…”

A cross-sectional study to investigate pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly in a low income county

“…1 Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common pathogen responsible for pneumonia in old aged patients which according to WHO is taken as more than 60-y-old. 2 It is not just the age which is responsible for the susceptibility of elderly to pneumonia.…”

“…4 Other risk factors include alcoholism, nursing home residence, and swallowing disorders. 1 Although, lifestyle modifications and nutritional support are also important elements in the prevention of pneumonia among the elderly, 5 the importance of vaccination against pneumonia holds its place as vaccination can play a key role in reducing the incidence of this disease. Due to lack of education, poor source of income, elderly population from low SES class are usually either unaware of the importance or even if they are aware, they do not feel the need to get vaccinated.…”