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Published on: March 9, 2018
Putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a
Claire Delsuc1, Aurélie Cottereau2, Emilie Frealle3
1Département d'Anesthésie et de Réanimation, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France. claire.delsuc@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk for developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. A clinical algorithm has been validated to discriminate colonization from putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (PIPA) in Aspergillus-positive respiratory tract cultures of critically ill patients. We focused on critically ill patients with COPD who met the criteria for PIPA.
Methods:
This matched cohort study included critically ill patients with COPD from two university hospital intensive care units (ICUs). We studied the risk factors for PIPA as well as the impact of PIPA on short- and long-term outcomes. Whether PIPA was associated with a pattern of bacterial colonization and/or infection 6 months before and/or during ICU stay was assessed. In addition, antifungal strategies were reviewed.
Results:
Fifty cases of PIPA in critically ill patients with COPD in the ICU were matched with one hundred control patients with COPD. The ICU short- and the long-term (at 1 year) mortality were significantly increased in the PIPA group (p < 0.001 for all variables). PIPA was a strong independent risk factor for mortality in the ICU (odds ratio 7.44, 95 % confidence interval 2.93-18.93, p < 0.001) before vasopressor therapy, renal replacement therapy, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Before ICU admission, the use of corticosteroids and antibiotics significantly increased the risk of PIPA (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in bacterial etiologic agents responsible for colonization and/or infection was found between the groups. Antifungal treatment was started in 64 % of PIPA cases, with a poor impact on the overall outcome.
Conclusions:
PIPA was a strong death predictor in critically ill patients with COPD. The use of corticosteroids and antibiotics before ICU admission was a risk factor for PIPA. PIPA was not associated with a specific bacterial pattern of colonization or infection. Prompting antifungal treatment in critically ill patients with COPD who have PIPA may not be the only factor involved in prognosis reversal.
Insights
Putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (PIPA) significantly increases mortality in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prior corticosteroid and antibiotic use are identified risk factors for PIPA development.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face a heightened risk of developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
- A validated clinical algorithm helps differentiate Aspergillus colonization from putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (PIPA) in critically ill patients.
- This study specifically examines critically ill COPD patients meeting PIPA criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors associated with PIPA in critically ill COPD patients.
- To evaluate the impact of PIPA on both short-term and long-term patient outcomes.
- To assess the relationship between PIPA and bacterial colonization/infection patterns and review antifungal strategies.
Main Methods:
- A matched cohort study involving critically ill COPD patients from two university hospital intensive care units (ICUs).
- Analysis of risk factors for PIPA and its effect on mortality (short- and long-term).
- Assessment of bacterial colonization/infection patterns preceding and during ICU stay; review of antifungal treatments.
Main Results:
- PIPA was a significant independent risk factor for ICU mortality (OR 7.44, p < 0.001).
- Pre-ICU admission use of corticosteroids and antibiotics significantly increased PIPA risk (p=0.004 and p<0.001, respectively).
- No significant difference in bacterial pathogens was observed between PIPA and control groups; antifungal treatment showed limited impact on outcomes.
Conclusions:
- PIPA is a strong predictor of mortality in critically ill COPD patients.
- Corticosteroid and antibiotic use prior to ICU admission are identified risk factors for PIPA.
- Antifungal treatment alone may not be sufficient to reverse the poor prognosis associated with PIPA in this population.
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