A-DROP Score Research Articles

Comparison of clinical profile in elderly patients with nursing and healthcare‐associated pneumonia, and those with community‐acquired pneumonia

Nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP) is a modified category of healthcare-associated pneumonia adjusted for the healthcare system of Japan. The clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality have not been well characterized in elderly patients with NHCAP. We retrospectively investigated 960 consecutive patients aged ≥65 years admitted for pneumonia. Baseline characteristics, severity, pathogen distribution, outcomes and risk factors for mortality were compared between patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and those with NHCAP. The applicability of age, dehydration, respiratory failure, orientation disturbance, and low BP (A-DROP) score, a standard severity index for CAP in Japan, was also evaluated in NHCAP. The study participants consisted of 373 patients (38.8%) with CAP and 587 (61.2%) with NHCAP. The patients with NHCAP were older and had poorer performance status (PS) and more comorbidities than those with CAP. The frequency of potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens and in-hospital mortality were found in 10 (2.7%) and 17 patients (4.6%) with CAP, and 60 (10.2%) and 83 patients (14.1%) with NHCAP, respectively (P < 0.0001). The incidences of PDR pathogens and mortality were not significantly different among the criteria for NHCAP. The higher mortality was associated with PS, comorbidity with Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3, and the coexistence of congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease and malignancy. A-DROP score was poor at predicting mortality in most patients with NHCAP. The current criteria for NHCAP seem to be appropriate for differentiating patients with poor outcomes from community-acquired pneumonia patients. It is essential to assess individual underlying conditions, such as PS and comorbidity, when caring for patients with NHCAP.

Association of Hyperglycemia on Admission and During Hospitalization with Mortality in Diabetic Patients Admitted for Pneumonia

Information available on the clinical features and outcomes of pneumonia in diabetic patients is limited. There are no data on the association between glycemic control during hospitalization and mortality in this population. The objective of this study is to examine whether the presence of hyperglycemia on admission and during hospitalization is associated with mortality in diabetic patients admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. This study is a retrospective observational cohort study of diabetic adults hospitalized for the first time for pneumonia between 2005 and 2011 in a 358-bed community hospital. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for 30-day all-cause hospital mortality adjusted for sex, age, type of pneumonia (community-acquired pneumonia or nursing and health care-associated pneumonia), severity of pneumonia according to the A-DROP score and various comorbidities in consideration of the serum glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels on admission and the mean plasma glucose level during hospitalization. Of the 1,499 pneumonia patients evaluated, 185 (12.3%) (mean age 75 years) had diabetes mellitus. Fourteen (7.6%) of the 185 diabetic patients died within 30 days after admission. According to the univariate analysis, 30-day mortality was significantly associated with the A-DROP score (p<0.0001), the admission glucose level (p=0.01) and the mean plasma glucose level during hospitalization (p<0.0001). Even after adjusting for factors related to the severity of pneumonia, the mean plasma glucose level during hospitalization remained significantly associated with 30-day mortality (p=0.004). Hyperglycemia determined according to the mean plasma glucose level during hospitalization is independently associated with 30-day all-cause hospital mortality in diabetic patients admitted for pneumonia.

Prediction of Requirement for Mechanical Ventilation in Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Background: Several severity scoring systems for predicting mortality are established in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Objectives: The predictability of the aggravation such as requirement for mechanical ventilation in addition to mortality was examined in CAP patients with acute respiratory failure by using the age, dehydration, respiratory failure, orientation disturbance and blood pressure (A-DROP) scoring system which was proposed by the Japanese Respiratory Society. Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. The severity of pneumonia was examined using A-DROP and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) which originated from the Infectious Disease Society of America. Requirement for mechanical ventilation and mortality were evaluated for 28 days. Results: 482 CAP patients with acute respiratory failure were enrolled in the study. The 28-day mortality and mechanical ventilation rates were 12.3 and 14.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the areas under the receiver-operator characteristic curves for prediction of mortality between A-DROP and PSI (χ² test; p = 0.3613). In the subgroup analyses by severity, the A-DROP scoring system showed a severity-dependent increase of mortality (moderate 5.6%, severe 16.1%, extremely severe 27.1%, Cochran-Armitage trend test; p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained for mechanical ventilation rate (moderate 9.8%, severe 16.7%, extremely severe 25.4%, Cochran-Armitage trend test; p = 0.0006). The compliance with scoring the A-DROP was higher than that with scoring the PSI (96.9 vs. 71.6%). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the A-DROP scoring system could be a simple CAP risk scoring system which could predict not only mortality, but also the requirement for mechanical ventilation.

Usefulness of a semi‐quantitative procalcitonin test and the A‐DROP Japanese prognostic scale for predicting mortality among adults hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia

The solid-phase immunoassay, semi-quantitative procalcitonin (PCT) test (B R A H M S PCT-Q) can be used to rapidly categorize PCT levels into four grades. However, the usefulness of this kit for determining the prognosis of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unclear. A prospective study was conducted in two Japanese hospitals to evaluate the usefulness of this PCT test in determining the prognosis of adult patients with CAP. The accuracy of the age, dehydration, respiratory failure, orientation disturbance, pressure (A-DROP) scale proposed by the Japanese Respiratory Society for prediction of mortality due to CAP was also investigated. Hospitalized CAP patients (n = 226) were enrolled in the study. Comprehensive examinations were performed to determine PCT and CRP concentrations, disease severity based on the A-DROP, pneumonia severity index (PSI) and confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 (CURB-65) scales and the causative pathogens. The usefulness of the biomarkers and prognostic scales for predicting each outcome were then examined. Twenty of the 170 eligible patients died. PCT levels were strongly positively correlated with PSI (ρ = 0.56, P < 0.0001), A-DROP (ρ = 0.61, P < 0.0001) and CURB-65 scores (ρ = 0.58, P < 0.0001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (95% CI) for prediction of survival, for CRP, PCT, A-DROP, CURB-65, and PSI were 0.54 (0.42-0.67), 0.80 (0.70-0.90), 0.88 (0.82-0.94), 0.88 (0.82-0.94), and 0.89 (0.85-0.94), respectively. The 30-day mortality among patients who were PCT-positive (≥0.5 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that among PCT-negative patients (log-rank test, P < 0.001). The semi-quantitative PCT test and the A-DROP scale were found to be useful for predicting mortality in adult patients with CAP.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Procalcitonin in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

IntroductionThe value of measuring procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the value of PCT as a marker for microbial etiology and a predictor of outcome in CAP patients. MethodsA single-center observational study was conducted with CAP patients. On admission, their leukocyte count, serum C-reactive protein level, and serum PCT level were determined, and microbiological tests were performed. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the A-DROP scoring system, which assesses the severity of CAP. ResultsA total of 102 patients were enrolled. The pathogen was identified in 60 patients, and 31 patients had streptococcal pneumonia. The PCT levels were significantly higher in those patients with pneumococcal pneumonia than in those patients with other bacterial pneumonias (P<0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that high PCT levels were associated with a pneumococcal etiology [odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–2.81; P=0.04] after adjustment for disease severity and demographic factors. The PCT levels were correlated with the A-DROP score (r=0.49; P<0.0001). The area under the curve for predicting mortality was highest for the A-DROP score (0.97; 95% CI: 0.92–0.99), followed by the area under the curve for PCT (0.82; 95% CI: 0.74–0.89) and C-reactive protein (0.77; 95% CI: 0.67–0.84). ConclusionsHigh PCT levels indicate that pneumococcal pneumonia and PCT levels depend on the severity of pneumonia. PCT measurements may provide important diagnostic and prognostic information for patients with CAP.

Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen Is a Predictive Factor for Intensive Care Unit Admission in Legionella Pneumonia

Background : Legionella pneumonia (L. pneumonia) is a serious disease among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Appropriate initial assessment of severity and admission to intensive care unit (ICU) can reduce mortality due to L. pneumonia. Here, the efficacy of using the current CAP scoring for recommending admission to ICU and other variables for initial management were evaluated. Methods : The clinical characteristics of 11 patients diagnosed with L. pneumonia at Maebashi Red Cross Hospital from November 1999 to July 2010 were examined. The scoring systems of A-DROP (A : Age, D : Dehydration, R : Respiration, O : Orientation, and P : Blood Pressure) and CURB-65 (C : Confusion, U : Urea, R : Respiratory rate, B : Blood pressure, and Age) were used. Results : Of the 11 L. pneumonia patients, 6 were admitted to the ICU. By A-DROP and CURB-65 scoring systems, 4 cases were assessed as not severe. Among the parameters used in the scores, only elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) had significantly predictive potential for ICU admission (sensitivity=100%, specificity=80%, P< 0.02). Both A-DROP and CURB-65 scoring systems underestimated the severity of CAP caused by L. spp .. Conclusions : In the case of L. pneumonia, elevated BUN level is important for assessing CAP severity and making ICU admission recommendations.

A Retrospective Analysis of 111 Cases of Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important and common pathogen of acute pneumonia. The urinary pneumococcal antigen test has been increasingly used for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia, but there have been few studies on pneumococcal pneumonia after this test became prevalent. The present study was conducted to characterize the clinical features of pneumococcal pneumonia after the introduction of the urinary antigen test. We retrospectively analyzed 111 cases from 105 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia in our hospital between 2007 and 2010, and collected data regarding background characteristics, laboratory data, isolated bacteria, and clinical courses. The cases analysed included 77 of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), 21 of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP), and 13 of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 12.5 and 55.6% of non-HAP and HAP cases, respectively. When the cases were divided into 5 groups according to A-DROP scores (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 points), critical events occurred at 0, 0, 8.7, 15.4, and 75.0% in groups of cases of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 points, respectively. Similarly, critical events occurred at 66.7, 4.7, 3.8, and 9.1% in groups of cases according to WBC counts of <4,000, 4,000-9,999, 10,000-19,999, and ≥20,000 cells/µL, respectively. Most of the pneumococcal pneumonia cases occurred as CAP and were treated successfully. HAP cases were frequently penicillin resistant. Elevated A-DROP scores and decreased WBC counts were found to be predictive of critical events.

Health-Care-Associated Pneumonia Among Hospitalized Patients in a Japanese Community Hospital

Health-care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a relatively new concept. Epidemiologic studies are limited, and initial empirical antibiotic treatment is still under discussion. This study aimed to reveal the differences in mortality and pathogens between HCAP and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in each severity class, and to clarify the strategy for the treatment of HCAP. We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with HCAP and CAP who were hospitalized between November 2005 and January 2007, and compared baseline characteristics, severity, pathogen distribution, antibiotic regimens, and outcomes. In each severity class (mild, moderate, and severe) assessed using the A-DROP scoring system (ie, age, dehydration, respiratory failure, orientation disturbance, and low BP), we investigated the in-hospital mortality and occurrence of potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens. A total of 371 patients (141 HCAP patients, 230 CAP patients) were evaluated. The proportion of patients in the severe class was higher in the HCAP patients than in CAP patients. In the moderate class, the in-hospital mortality proportion of HCAP patients was significantly higher than that of CAP patients (11.1% vs 1.9%, respectively; p = 0.008). In moderate-class patients in whom pathogens were identified, PDR pathogens were isolated more frequently from HCAP patients than from CAP patients (22.2% vs 1.9%, respectively; p = 0.002). The occurrence of PDR pathogens was associated with initial treatment failure and inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment. The present study provides additional evidence that HCAP should be distinguished from CAP, and suggests that the therapeutic strategy for HCAP in the moderate class holds the key to improving mortality. Physicians may need to consider PDR pathogens in selecting the initial empirical antibiotic treatment of HCAP.

Comparison of severity scoring systems A‐DROP and CURB‐65 for community‐acquired pneumonia

The initial assessment of the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is important for patient management. The Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) has proposed a 6-point scale (0-5) to assess the clinical severity of CAP. The A-DROP scoring system assesses the following parameters: (i) Age (male >or= 70 years, female >or= 75 years); (ii) Dehydration (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) >or= 210 mg/L); (iii) Respiratory failure (SaO(2) <or= 90% or PaO(2) <or= 60 mm Hg); (iv) Orientation disturbance (confusion); and (v) low blood Pressure (systolic blood pressure <or= 90 mm Hg). A-DROP is a modified version of CURB-65 (confusion, BUN > 7 mmol/L (200 mg/L), respiratory rate >or= 30/min, low blood pressure (diastolic <or= 60 mm Hg or systolic < 90 mm Hg, and age >or= 65 years) proposed by the British Thoracic Society. However, validation of A-DROP has not been attempted nor has it been compared with CURB-65. The aim of this study was to confirm that A-DROP is equivalent to CURB-65 for predicting severity of CAP. A retrospective observational study was conducted of patients with CAP hospitalized at a single centre between November 2005 and January 2007. The 30-day mortality after admission was compared following assessment of severity using the A-DROP and CURB-65 scoring systems. Three-hundred and twenty-nine patients were evaluated. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.846 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.790-0.903) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.763-0.908) for A-DROP and CURB-65, respectively. The JRS A-DROP can be used to assess severity of CAP, and gives similar results to CURB-65.

Implication of Clinical Pathway Care for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in a Community Hospital: Early Switch from an Intravenous .BETA.-lactam Plus a Macrolide to an Oral Respiratory Fluoroquinolone

The effect of clinical pathway (CP) care and early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics therapy on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been well documented. However, limited studies have evaluated the effects of CP on reducing time taken for attaining clinical stability and duration of antibiotics prescriptions. This study was aimed to investigate the use of a CP and its implication for CAP in a community hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CAP patients hospitalized between November 2005 and January 2007. The patients were divided into two groups, those for whom CP was adopted and those for whom CP was not adopted on admission. We compared the outcomes of three risk classes assessed using the severity scoring system (A-DROP). CP included switching from an intravenous beta-lactam plus a macrolide to an oral respiratory fluoroquinolone, when the patients exhibited risk factors for drug-resistant pneumococci. One hundred thirty-five patients were evaluated, and sixty received CP care. Patients in the CP group had a lower A-DROP score. Although clinical cure proportions were similar, the CP group in the mild and moderate classes (A-DROP score, <or=2) required significantly less time to achieve clinical stability and had a reduced duration of total antibiotics prescriptions, length of hospital stay, and hospital charges. These effects were absent in the severe class. Implementation of this CP would lead to effective care, may serve to reduce time for attaining clinical stability and reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics without worsening clinical outcomes in mild and moderate CAP.

高齢者市中肺炎の重症度分類と予後予測

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common and serious illness. CAP can be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. This study aims to investigate the precision of disease severity staging scales such as Pneumonia Outcomes Research Team (PORT) Severity Index (PSI) and A-DROP (Age, Dehydration, Respiratory failure, Orientation disturbance, shock blood Pressure) in elderly patients with CAP. For this study, 111 elderly CAP patients admitted to our hospital during a two-year period were recruited and stratified using these scales. We reviewed the precision of the above-mentioned scales in the 111 patients aged 65 years or above, and investigated the disease severity classifications, initial treatment, and clinical course of these patients. The mean age of the patients was 82 (+/-7.6) years. Among these patients, 15% were aged between 65 and 75 years, 50% were older with their ages ranging from 75 to 84 years, and 35% were extremely old with their ages over 85 years. The mortality rates for the patients with the A-DROP score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0%, 0%, 2.2%, 17.2%, 20.0%, and 40.0%, respectively, and those for the patients with PSI class I, II, III, IV, and V were 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and 36.0%, respectively. PSI is a useful method for estimating the prognosis in elderly CAP patients. On the other hand, the A-DROP score may be inadequate in terms of judging the disease severity in these patients. With regard to the severity of pneumonia in elderly patients, we should consider not only the A-DROP score but also the underlying diseases such as malignancy, cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, or renal disease.

Clinical usefulness of detecting growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in positive Bactec phials using PCR.

<b>Background:</b> Procalcitonin (PCT) is known as a useful diagnostic marker signifying bacterial infection and its serum levels correlate with disease severity measured by scoring systems such as pneumonia severity index (PSI) or Age, Dehydration, Respiratory failure, Orientation disturbance, Pressure (A-DROP) score, a Japanese prognostic scale for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, for aspiration pneumonia, a major cause of death among elderly patients, little is known about the role of PCT. <b>Objective:</b> We investigated whether PCT levels would be useful for predicting severity and clinical course of aspiration pneumonia. <b>Method:</b> We conducted a prospective study in 49 patients with aspiration pneumonia who were admitted to our hospital from September 2013 and April 2014. Patients with immunosuppression or on treatment with chemotherapy were excluded. We analyzed the association between PCT levels on admission and PSI and A-DROP scores. In addition, correlation between PCT levels and the duration of administration of intravenous antimicrobial agents as an indicator of clinical course was examined. <b>Results:</b> The mean age of patients was 85 years and 25 (51%) were male. PCT levels did not correlate with PSI risk classification (correlation coefficient (R):0.25, p=0.08) nor A-DROP scores (R: 0.20, p=0.17). A multiple regression analysis showed no association between PCT levels on admission and the number of days of intravenous antimicrobial agent administration (regression coefficient (β): 1.59, 95%CI -0.8 to 4.0, p=0.19). <b>Conclusions:</b> PCT levels were not useful for predicting severity and clinical course of aspiration pneumonia, in contrast to previous reports of CAP.