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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 45(02): 266-273
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1781426
Review Article

Long-Term Outcomes in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Francesco Carella
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
2   Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
,
Stefano Aliberti 
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
2   Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
,
Anna Stainer
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
2   Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
,
Antonio Voza
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
3   Emergency Medicine, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
,
Francesco Blasi
4   Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
5   Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is globally one of the major causes of hospitalization and mortality. Severe CAP (sCAP) presents great challenges and need a comprehensive understanding of its long-term outcomes. Cardiovascular events and neurological impairment, due to persistent inflammation and hypoxemia, contribute to long-term outcomes in CAP, including mortality. Very few data are available in the specific population of sCAP. Multiple studies have reported variable 1-year mortality rates for patients with CAP up to 40.7%, with a clear influence by age, comorbidities, and disease severity. In terms of treatment, the potential protective role of macrolides in reducing mortality emphasizes the importance of appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy. This narrative review explores the growing interest in the literature focusing on the long-term implications of sCAP. Improved understanding of long-term outcomes in sCAP can facilitate targeted interventions and enhance posthospitalization care protocols.

Keywords

severe community-acquired pneumonia - long-term outcomes - long-term mortality - narrative review


Publication History

Article published online:
23 February 2024

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