Resolution of symptoms in patients with community-acquired pneumonia treated on an ambulatory basis - 24/08/11
Abstract |
Objective. To describe the resolution of five symptoms commonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Methods. Three hundred and ninety-nine patients with CAP (Fine Classes I to III) recorded the severity (from 0 to 5) of fatigue, cough, dyspnoea, sputum, and pleuritic chest pain daily from enrollment to day 14 and also on days 30 and 42. A total symptom score was obtained by multiplying an individual score by four and summing the score of the five symptom (transformed score). A total symptom score of ≤20 or an individual symptom untransformed score of ≤1 was defined as resolution.
Results. The mean untransformed symptom scores at the time of presentation were: fatigue (3.5±1.4), cough (3.5±1.5), dyspnoea (2.7±1.5), sputum production (2.2±1.6) and chest pain (2.1±1.7). Sixty-seven percent had resolution of symptoms by day 14. When the study population was divided according to a mean total symptom score of ≤20 or >20 on day 14, the patients with a score >20 (n=122; 33%) had higher symptom scores at all time points out to 42 days. The median time to return to work was 6 days.
Conclusion. The pneumonia symptom severity score is a useful tool for advising patients regarding the time to symptomatic resolution of pneumonia.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Pneumonia, Symptoms, Severity, Resolution, Cough, Sputum, Dyspnoea, Chest pain, Fatigue
Plan
Vol 49 - N° 4
P. 302-309 - novembre 2004 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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