Respiratory-tract infections among geriatrics: prevalence and factors associated with the treatment outcomes. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akhtar, Ali; Hassali, Mohamed Azmi Ahmad; Zainal, Hadzliana; Ali, Irfhan; Iqbal, Muhammad Shahid; Khan, Amer Hayat
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease. Volume 15(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: geriatrics -- outcome research -- pneumonia -- prevalence -- RTIs; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory agents -- Periodicals; Pulmonary pharmacology -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory System Agents -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- drug therapy -- Periodicals; Lung Diseases -- drug therapy -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Agents respiratoires -- Périodiques; Pharmacologie pulmonaire -- Périodiques; 616.2005
• DOI: 10.1177/1753466620971141
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-4658

Abstract

Background: Geriatric individuals are more susceptible to different infections, especially respiratory-tract infections (RTIs) due to their compromised immune system. Hence, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence, medication regimen complexity and factors associated with the treatment outcomes of different RTIs among geriatrics. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study (5 years) was conducted at the respiratory department, Hospital Pulau Pinang. Patients aged ⩾65 years with confirmed diagnosis of RTI were included in the study. Results: A total of 474 patients were included, and the most prevalent RTIs were community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.7%), bronchitis (8.2%) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (5.5%). Amoxicillin/clavulanate (69.8%), ampicillin/sulbactam (9.1%) and cefuroxime (6.5%) are the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat RTIs among geriatrics. Smoking, alcohol consumption, polypharmacy and presence of other co-morbidities are statistically significant factors associated with treatment outcomes of RTIs among geriatrics. Conclusion: Prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) among older patients aged 65 years and older higher than other RTIs. Smoking, alcohol use, presence of polypharmacy and other co-morbidities are important factors associated with the treatment outcomes of RTIs. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section .