Incidence, Etiology, and Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Population-Based Study

Bjarnason, Agnar; Westin, Johan; Lindh, Magnus; Andersson, Lars-Magnus; Kristinsson, Karl G; Löve, Arthur; Baldursson, Olafur; Gottfredsson, Magnus

The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate the frequency and etiology of CAP in a defined population, allowing for calculation of incidence, applying modern diagnostic tests, and comparing etiology with symptoms, risk factors, and outcomes. 63% of the national population. It also provides 90% of all intensive care in the country. Adults (≥18 years) admitted from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009 were screened for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were a new chest x-ray infiltrate and ≥2 additional symptoms: temperature >38.3°C or <36°C, diaphoresis, chills, new cough, chest pain, or new onset of dyspnea [6, 14] . Exclusion criteria were as follows: admission to an acute care facility during the preceding 14 days; use of immunosuppressive medications (corticosteroids equivalent to ≥10 mg prednisolone daily, methotrexate, hydroxyurea, adalimumab, infliximab, etenercept, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, or cyclosporine); ongoing treatment for a malignancy; receipt of a solid organ transplant; or human immunodeficiency virus infection.