Factors influencing long-term survival after hospitalization with pneumococcal pneumonia

To assess survival and identify predictors of survival more than 30-days after discharge in a cohort of consecutive patients diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia.

Observational study including all consecutive immunocompetent adult patients surviving more than 30-days after hospitalization. The bacteriological diagnosis was based on the results of urinary antigen testing and/or blood culture. Life expectancy was calculated for each patient considering their sex, age and date of discharge.

We included 1114 patients that survived more than 30- days after discharge. Of them, 431 (38.6%) died during follow-up (median follow-up of 6.7 years). Age, history of cancer, liver disease, chronic renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease, atrial arrhythmia and coronary disease, red cell distribution width (RDW) > 15%, positive blood culture, hematocrit < 30% and living in a nursing home were independent risk factors for reduced long-term survival after hospital discharge. Cumulative 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 93.9%, 85.3% and 76%, respectively. Among non-survivors, 361 (83.8%) died earlier than expected given their life expectancy.

Survival after hospital discharge is mainly associated with age and comorbidities. The findings of bacteremia and elevated RDW on admission could help identify patients at high risk of long-term mortality.