A prospective study on clinical and radiological resolution of community acquired pneumonia

Authors

  • Yogesh B Kamshette Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
  • Satish Mudbi Senior Resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
  • Nagabhushan B Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sridevi Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India

Keywords:

Pneumonia, Dyspnoea, chest pain, pulmonary tuberculosis.

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is a disease known to humanity from antiquity. Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma that can be caused by various infective and noninfective origins, presenting with physical and radiological features compatible with the pulmonary consolidation of a part or parts of one or both lungs (Seaton, Seaton, Leitch, & Crofton, 2000). Pneumonia signifies a pulmonary inflammatory process. The most significant and striking feature of which is consolidation (Kasper et al., 2005). Materials and Methods: A prospective observational clinical study was conducted in BRIMS, Bidar a tertiary care setting during the period from January 2020 to December 2020 (1 year). All patients diagnosed as community-acquired pneumonia as per IDSA criteria were included. Treatment was started as per ATS guidelines. All patients were started on empirical antibiotic regimen as per the guidelines. No change in antibiotics were made on the basis of sputum reports unless they fail to show symptomatic improvement within 72 hours. Those with hospital acquired pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis were excluded. During the baseline visit, detailed history obtained and a careful clinical examination done. Results: A total number of 118 patients were enrolled in the study out of which six patients were lost to followup and two were excluded as their sputum AFB smear result was positive. Remaining 102 patients completed the study. Out of the total 102 patients, 41% were above the age of 60 years and 31% were between 46 to 60 years. The mean age of the study population was 53.49 + 15.35. Majority of the patients were (90%) males. Fever and cough were present in all the patients at the time of presentation. Dyspnoea was the next common symptom present in 73% of the patients. Pleuritic chest pain was present in 67% and wheezing in 7% of patients. Conclusion: Clinical resolution of community-acquired pneumonia occurred in 73% of patients within a period of two weeks. Radiological resolution occurred in 43% at the end of four weeks and 78% at the end of eight weeks. For those patients in whom clinical resolution has occurred, a delay in radiological resolution beyond a period of four weeks has not much clinical significance as the radiological resolution will follow eventually. Advanced age, female sex, prolonged duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis, multilobar involvement and co-existing diseases are associated with delay in resolution of community-acquired pneumonia.

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Published

2022-01-17

How to Cite

Yogesh B Kamshette, Satish Mudbi, & Nagabhushan B. (2022). A prospective study on clinical and radiological resolution of community acquired pneumonia. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 5(2), 913–915. Retrieved from https://www.ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/5002