A new study shows surviving pneumonia may mean just a short-term lease on a healthy life, but it depends on the patient. Results of the study show increasing age combined with cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, an altered mental state, and anemia were significant and independent predictors of death in the two to three years after being hospitalized for pneumonia.
In addition, patients with poorly controlled diabetes and a hematocrit (ratio of the volume of packed red blood cells to the volume of whole blood) of less than 35 percent were significant predictors of death. Researchers also observed a higher risk of early death among patients 41 to 60 years old who had no accompanying diseases .Investigators examined the survival of 386 community-acquired pneumonia patients who were hospitalized . After discharge, 125 patients died.Thus researchers conclude saying that although the natural course of some of these disease processes may not be alterable, earlier recognition maximizes the potential for interventions to impact on subsequent morbidity and mortality.
