Outcomes and Predictors of Severe Community-acquired Pneumonia Among Adults Admitted to the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Prospective Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: Severe community-acquired pneumonia is a common life-threatening infection with a high rate of unfavorable outcome. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and predictors of hospitalized severe community-acquired pneumonia patients at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study was conducted at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital from May 1 to September 31, 2021. The data was collected by reviewing patients’ charts and interviewing the patients themselves. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed accordingly. Variables with p-value <0.2 on binary logistic regression were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression and variables with p<0.05 were considered to have significant association. RESULTS: A total of 239 admitted patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled in the study. An unfavorable outcome was observed in 105 (44%) patients; 24.27% was in-hospital all-cause mortality, 12.5% was nonresolution, 5.8% was complicated cases, and 1.26% were gone against medical care for poor prognosis. After analyzing multivariable logistic regression, confusion (OR= 4.84; 95%CI: 1.47–15.88), anemia (OR= 2.36; 95%CI: 1.01–5.52), leukopenia (OR=4.38; 95%CI: 1.26–15.25), leukocytosis (OR=3.15; 95%CI: 1.23–7.96), elevated creatinine (OR=5.67; 95%CI: 1.72–18.65), intubation (OR=7.27; 95%CI: 1.58–33.37) and antibiotic revision during treatment for a different reason (OR=0.02; 95%CI: 0.01–0.07) were variables significantly associated with unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Unfavorable outcome was high among hospitalized severe community acquired pneumonia patients, and confusion, elevated creatinine, anemia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, intubation during admission, and antibiotic revision during the course were independent predictors associated significantly with the unfavorable outcome. It is important to consider the development of a treatment protocol for the hospital and to further research incorporating the microbiologic profile of the patients.