Factors influencing acute pneumonia outcomes

Abstract

80 patients with acute pneumonia were complexly examined when they were admitted to, and discharged from, a hospitai as well as 6—12 months later. The outcomes into chronic non-specific pulmonary diseases were reveaied in 25% of cases. Analysis of the examination resuits made it possible to ascertain the following risk factors of the acute pneumonia transition into chronic non-specific pulmonary diseases: severe or delayed course of disease; presence of Streptococcus or Escherichia coli in the sputum; lingering and massive antibacterial therapy; such symptoms of incomplete recovery on the moment of a patient discharge from a hospital as cough, non-specific showings of inflammation in biochemical blood analysis, roentgenographically revealed changes, external  respiration disorder; reduction of pulmonary blood flow when patients were admitted to, and especially when they were discharged from, a hospital; adaptive stress reaction; chronic alcoholic intoxication. The following factors contribute to favor outcomes: physiotherapy, exercise therapy, medicines improving microcirculation; normal function of external respiration and normal pulmonary blood flow as well as adaptive training reaction when discharging from a hospital. Patients with risk factors of pneumonia transition into chronic non-specific pulmonary diseases require particular attention when making a decision on discharging and during the subsequent medical supervision.