Community-acquired Pneumonia in Buskerud County in Norway

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia, to assess risk factors and to investigate potential prognostic biomarkers of serious disease and fatal outcome.

Detailed Description
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Background: This project addresses an important challenge in international medicine: Pneumonia as the leading cause of death from infection in developed countries. Purpose: (A) Determine the etiology of CAP among adult hospitalized patients- especially the occurrence of mixed infections- by systematic implementation of combined conventional and new diagnostic methods. (B) Assess risk factors of CAP, such as COPD, congestive heart failure, smoking, malignancy etc., predictive of re-admittance to hospital and mortality. (C) Examine the prognostic value of potential predictors in relation to all-cause mortality in adult patients hospitalized with CAP. Design: Prospective observational study with inclusion of 270 adult patients during a 3-year period, who all required admission for pneumonia in a community hospital setting. Clinical and biochemical data was recorded longitudinally by inclusion, at stable clinical situation and after 6 weeks, and mortality and need for re-admission within 12 months. Patients were examined systematically, using modern research methods to explore relevant microbes. At all points, blood tests were sampled for clinical-chemical analysis, DNA, RNA and immunological analyses. Application: A translational research approach with the ambitions to elucidate new pathogenic mechanisms which could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment modalities. This will possibly lead to less drug exposure and unnecessary hospitalization both of which have positive consequences for patients and medical care costs.

Official Title
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Community-acquired Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study to Explore Etiology, Risk Factors and Potential Predictors for re- Admittance to Hospital and All-cause Mortality

Conditions
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Community-Acquired Infections, Pneumonia

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: New infiltrate on chest X-ray and Fever > 38,0 by rectal measurement at least one of these additional criteria: Cough +/- expectoration, dyspnoea, respiratory chest pain, crackles or reduced respiratory sounds. Criteria must be present within 48 hours after admission Exclusion Criteria: Patients < 18 years Non infectious cause of lung infiltration (tumors, embolism) Bronchial obstruction (tumor, bronchiectasia) Hospitalised more than 48 hours or discharged within the last 2 weeks

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Adults with CAP admitted to hospital<br>All adult patients with CAP admitted to Vestre Viken HF-Buskerud Hospital (VVHF-BH), a 400-bed community general hospital, between January 2008 og January 2011 were evaluated for inclusion in the study. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| all cause mortality |  | one year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Re-admission to hospital |  | One month | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Community-Acquired Infections, Pneumonia/microbiology, Pneumonia/diagnosis, Prognosis, Prospective Studies