Risk Factors, Pathogen Distribution, and Treatment Strategies for Mortality in Elderly Patients with Pulmonary
Zehua Chen1,2, Nan Bai1, Yulong Chi1,2
1Center of Medicine Clinical Research, Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Clinical Interventions in Aging
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Elderly patients with pulmonary infections face high mortality risks from factors like respiratory failure and bacteremia. Identifying and intervening early on these risks, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and mechanical ventilation, is crucial for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Elderly individuals experience immune system decline, increasing vulnerability to pulmonary infections.
- Comorbidities in older adults exacerbate the severity and impact of respiratory infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze bacterial pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance in elderly pulmonary infections.
- To evaluate medication strategies and identify mortality risk factors in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Electronic medical records were used to gather data on patient demographics, clinical status, treatments, and outcomes.
- Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and multivariable logistic regression identified mortality risk factors.
Main Results:
- Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, were the most common pathogens.
- A high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains (66.0%) was observed, with combination therapy used in 65.7% of patients.
- Key mortality risk factors included respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, bacteremia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, bacteremia, gastrointestinal bleeding, extended hospitalization, myocardial infarction, and malnutrition are significant mortality predictors.
- Prompt identification and management of these risk factors are essential for improving survival rates in elderly patients with pulmonary infections.
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