Can you die from pneumonia

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Can You Die from Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that can indeed be fatal, particularly in certain high-risk groups. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the mortality risks associated with pneumonia.

Severe Pneumonia Mortality Rates

Severe pneumonia is a leading cause of death among hospitalized patients. A study conducted in China from 2010 to 2018 found that early pathogen diagnosis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) significantly reduced the 28-day and 90-day mortality rates in patients with severe pneumonia compared to conventional detection methods . This highlights the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis in improving patient outcomes.

Viral Pneumonia and High-Risk Groups

Viral pneumonia can be particularly deadly, especially in high-risk groups such as cancer patients. A study examining viral pneumonia cases from 2010 to 2015 reported a 30-day mortality rate of 7.1% among all patients, with significantly higher mortality rates in cancer patients . Factors such as old age, viral-bacterial co-infection, underlying malignancy, and initial shock were identified as independent predictors of mortality .

Childhood Pneumonia Mortality

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of hospitalization and death among children under five years old. A study in the Philippines from 2008 to 2016 found a case fatality rate of 4.7% among hospitalized children with severe pneumonia. Risk factors for mortality included severe malnutrition, young age, and specific clinical symptoms such as central cyanosis and decreased breath sounds . Similar findings were reported in a study from Malawi, which noted a significant decrease in pneumonia mortality rates over a decade but still high mortality in specific subgroups like those with severe malnutrition and very severe pneumonia .

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) also poses a significant mortality risk. A study at the University of Virginia Medical Center reported a 30% case fatality rate for nosocomial pneumonia. Factors such as age, time from admission to pneumonia onset, prior use of mechanical ventilation, and neoplastic disease were associated with increased mortality .

Comorbidities and Pneumonia Mortality

Comorbidities play a crucial role in the risk of dying from pneumonia. A study in Portugal found that older age, chronic renal disease, lung cancer, and other severe comorbidities significantly increased the risk of mortality in pneumonia patients . This underscores the importance of managing underlying health conditions to improve pneumonia outcomes.

Long-Term Mortality

The impact of pneumonia extends beyond the initial infection. Long-term mortality rates are higher in patients who have been hospitalized for pneumonia compared to those with other major medical conditions. Factors contributing to this increased long-term mortality include cardiovascular disease, neoplasms, and alterations in immune function .

Conclusion

Pneumonia can indeed be fatal, particularly in high-risk groups such as the elderly, cancer patients, and those with severe comorbidities. Early and accurate diagnosis, effective management of underlying conditions, and prompt medical intervention are crucial in reducing mortality rates. Understanding the risk factors associated with pneumonia mortality can help in developing targeted strategies to improve patient outcomes.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Next generation sequencing for diagnosis of severe pneumonia: China, 2010-2018.

NGS-based early pathogen diagnosis in ICU patients with severe pneumonia leads to lower in-hospital mortality and better clinical prognosis compared to conventional methods.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

89citations

·Yun Xie et al.

High mortality from viral pneumonia in patients with cancer

High mortality from viral pneumonia in adults is associated with old age, viral-bacterial co-infection, underlying malignancy, and initial shock.

Observational StudyRigorous Journal

2019·

54citations

·Youn-Jung Kim et al.

Aetiology and risks factors associated with the fatal outcomes of childhood pneumonia among hospitalised children in the Philippines from 2008 to 2016: a case series study

Malnutrition is the most common factor associated with death in hospitalized children with pneumonia, and addressing this issue may decrease the case fatality rate.

Observational StudyRigorous Journal

2019·

34citations

·Bindongo P. P. Dembele et al.

Mortality and its risk factors in Malawian children admitted to hospital with clinical pneumonia, 2001-12: a retrospective observational study.

Pneumonia mortality in Malawian children has steadily improved over the past decade, but high mortality rates remain in specific subgroups.

Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2016·

76citations

·M. Lazzerini et al.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia. Attributable mortality and morbidity.

Nosocomial pneumonia accounts for 33% of crude mortality and contributes significantly to the economic burden of prolonged hospitalization.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1989·

297citations

Pneumonia mortality, comorbidities matter?

Comorbidities significantly increase the risk of dying from pneumonia, with older patients, living in senior houses, and those with chronic renal disease, lung cancer, metastatic disease, mobility impairment, cachexia, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease at higher risk.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2019·

95citations

·V. Hespanhol et al.

Causes of severe pneumonia requiring hospital admission in children without HIV infection from Africa and Asia: the PERCH multi-country case-control study

Viruses account for 61.4% of pneumonia causes in young African and Asian children without HIV infection, while bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis contribute to 27.3% and 5.9% respectively.

Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

574citations

·A. DeLuca et al.

Trends in Pneumonia Mortality Rates and Hospitalizations by Organism, United States, 2002–2011

Pneumonia hospitalization rates decreased for pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae from 2002 to 2011, but increased for Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and influenza virus.

Observational Study

2016·

27citations

·Brandon A. Wuerth et al.

Long-Term Mortality after Pneumonia

Pneumonia has significant long-term effects, with hospitalization leading to higher long-term mortality due to factors such as cardiovascular disease, neoplasms, and immune function alterations.

2012·

29citations

·E. Mortensen et al.

Prognostic factors of pneumonia requiring admission to the intensive care unit.

Advanced age, presence of septic shock, mechanical ventilation, and P aeruginosa as the etiologic agent of pneumonia are associated with increased mortality in ICU patients with pneumonia.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1995·

137citations

·J. Almirall et al.

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