Hot Off the Press: Accuracy of Signs and Symptoms for the Diagnosis of Community-acquired Pneumonia.

Abstract

To determine which patients with lower respiratory tract infection symptoms require imaging or antibiotics, we need to know how accurate our clinical assessment is for the diagnosis of pneumonia. We discuss a systematic review and meta-analysis by Ebell et al published in Academic Emergency Medicine, July 2020, looking at the accuracy of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia. We provide critical analysis of the article, and summarize the social media discussion and a podcast in which the authors discuss their work.