Independent predictors for longer radiographic resolution in patients with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To examine prospectively the radiographic clearance of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in immunocompetent children, and to identify independent predictors of time to complete radiographic resolution in patients with RMPP. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 187 patients with RMPP treated with bronchoscopy were prospectively enrolled in the study between January 2012 and December 2015. METHODS: Serial chest radiographs were obtained after discharge every 4 weeks up to a maximum of 24 weeks after diagnosis or until large infiltration on chest radiographs had resolved. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of time to complete radiographic resolution. RESULTS: Of the 187 patients with RMPP, bronchial mucus plug formation was detected in 73 (39.0%). C reactive protein (CRP) ≥50 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥480 U/L, total fever duration ≥10 days and presence of mucus plugs were associated with longer time to radiographic clearance (all p<0.01). Compared with children without mucus plugs, those with mucus plugs were significantly more likely to have longer time to radiographic clearance (adjusted OR: 11.5; 95% CI 2.5 to 45.7; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Clinicians might use duration of fever, CRP, LDH and presence of mucus plugs as parameters to identify children at a longer time to radiographic clearance in patients with RMPP.