Abstract
To determine the frequency, risk factors and mortality of nosocomial pneumonia a prospective study was conducted in the intensive care units. In the study period, 2402 patients were included. The nosocomial pneumonia was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control Criteria. Overall, 163 (6.8%) of the patients developed nosocomial pneumonia and 75.5% (n = 123) of all patients with nosocomial pneumonia were ventilator-associated pneumonia. 163 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit during the same period but had no bacteriologic or histologic evidence of pneumonia were used as a control group. The APACHE II score, coma, hypoalbuminemia, mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, presence of nasogastric tube were found as independent risk factors. Crude and attributable mortality were 65% and 52.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was five times greater in the cases (OR: 5.2; CI 95%: 3.2–8.3). The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital in the cases were longer than controls (p < 0.0001). Patients requiring mechanical ventilation have a high frequency of nosocomial pneumonia.
Highlights
Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) is the most frequent nosocomial infection in the intensive care units (ICU)
The risk of pneumonia is increased in the intubated patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) and the ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) frequencies varied between 7–70% in different studies [7,8,9]
The incidence of NP was reported different in different studies, which may be justified by the presence of different populations with variable ages, underlying diseases, and other associated risk factors
Summary
Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) is the most frequent nosocomial infection in the intensive care units (ICU). The reported frequency varies with the definition, the type of hospital or ICU, the population of patients, and the type of rate calculated. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system reported that NP accounts for 31% of all nosocomial infections in intensive care units [6]. The risk of pneumonia is increased in the intubated patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) and the ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) frequencies varied between 7–70% in different studies [7,8,9]. NP is associated with high morbidity and mortality in ICUs. The increasing incidence of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens contributes (page number not for citation purposes)
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