Incidence and Risk of Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Adults with Distinct Underlying Medical Conditions: A Population-Based Study.

Purpose: This study investigated the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia requiring hospitalisation among middle-aged and older adults with and without specific underlying medical conditions, evaluating the influence of these conditions in the risk of developing pneumonia.

Methods: Population-based prospective cohort study included 2,025,730 individuals ≥ 50 years around Catalonia, Spain. The Catalonian information system for the development of research in primary care (SIDIAP) was used to establish baseline characteristics of the cohort (comorbidities and underlying medical conditions).

Clinical effectiveness of 13-valent and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccination in middle-aged and older adults: The EPIVAC cohort study, 2015-2016.

Background: Clinical benefits using the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPsV23) or the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in adults are controversial. This study investigated clinical effectiveness for both PPsV23 and PCV13 in preventing pneumonia among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Population-based cohort study involving 2,025,730 persons ≥50 years in Catalonia, Spain, who were prospectively followed between 01/01/2015 and 31/12/2016.

Pneumococcal vaccination coverages among low-, intermediate-, and high-risk adults in Catalonia.

There is scarce data about pneumococcal vaccination coverages among adults in recent years. We investigated current pneumococcal vaccination coverages in Catalonia, Spain, with a cross-sectional population-based study including 2,033,465 individuals aged 50 y or older assigned to the Catalonian Health Institute at 01/01/2015 (date of survey). A previously validated institutional research clinical Database was used to classify study subjects by their vaccination status for both 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), to identify comorbidities and underlying conditions, and establish the risk stratum of each individual: High risk stratum: functional or anatomic asplenia, cochlear implants, CSF leaks, or immunocompromising conditions; medium risk stratum: immunocompetent persons with history of chronic cardiac or respiratory disease, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism and/or smoking; low risk stratum: persons without high or medium risk conditions.

Passive smoking at home is a risk factor for community-acquired pneumonia in older adults: a population-based case-control study.

Objective: To assess whether passive smoking exposure at home is a risk factor for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults.

Setting: A population-based case-control study was designed in a Mediterranean area with 860 000 inhabitants >14 years of age.

Participants: 1003 participants who had never smoked were recruited.

Validation of the CORB75 (confusion, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥ 75 years) as a simpler pneumonia severity rule.

Purpose: This study compares the ability of two simpler severity rules (classical CRB65 vs. proposed CORB75) in predicting short-term mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods: A population-based study was undertaken involving 610 patients ≥ 65 years old with radiographically confirmed CAP diagnosed between 2008 and 2011 in Tarragona, Spain (350 cases in the derivation cohort, 260 cases in the validation cohort).

Relationship between the use of inhaled steroids for chronic respiratory diseases and early outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: The role of inhaled steroids in patients with chronic respiratory diseases is a matter of debate due to the potential effect on the development and prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We assessed whether treatment with inhaled steroids in patients with chronic bronchitis, COPD or asthma and CAP may affect early outcome of the acute pneumonic episode.

Methods: Over 1-year period, all population-based cases of CAP in patients with chronic bronchitis, COPD or asthma were registered.

Inhaled drugs as risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia.

The effect of inhaled drugs in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unclear. This case-control study was designed to determine whether inhaled drugs were risk factors for CAP. All incident cases of confirmed CAP that occurred over 1 yr in patients with chronic bronchitis (CB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma were included, as well as CB, COPD and asthma controls.

Clinical effectiveness of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against pneumonia in middle-aged and older adults: a matched case-control study.

The 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine is currently recommended in elderly and high-risk adults. Its efficacy against invasive pneumococcal disease has been demonstrated, but its effectiveness in preventing pneumonia remains uncertain. This study assessed the clinical effectiveness of vaccination against pneumonia among middle-aged and older adults.

Effects of annual influenza vaccination on winter mortality in elderly people with chronic heart disease.

Aims: Although there is general agreement for the recommendation of the influenza vaccine to elderly and high-risk adults, the magnitude of clinical effectiveness and benefit from the annual vaccination is controversial. In this study, we have assessed the effects of annual influenza vaccination on winter mortality in older adults with chronic heart disease.

Methods And Results: Cohort study that included 1340 Spanish community-dwelling individuals 65 years or older who had chronic heart disease (congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease) followed from January 2002 to April 2005.

New evidence of risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia: a population-based study.

The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with special emphasis on modifiable risk factors and those applicable to the general population. A population-based, case-control study was conducted, with a target population of 859,033 inhabitants aged >14 yrs. A total of 1,336 patients with confirmed CAP were matched to control subjects by age, sex and primary centre over 1 yr.

Protective effects of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the elderly population: the EVAN-65 study.

Background: The 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) is currently recommended for elderly persons and persons who are at high risk of infection. However, the effectiveness of the 23-valent PPV remains controversial. We assessed the effectiveness of this vaccine in older adults.

Protective effect of pneumococcal vaccine against death by pneumonia in elderly subjects.

The present study assessed the effectiveness of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine to prevent pneumonia and death in older adults in a first-time report between January and December 2002. A prospective cohort study was conducted including all individuals>or=65 yrs of age assigned to one of eight primary care centres in Tarragona, Spain (n=11,241). The primary outcomes were community-acquired pneumonia (hospitalised or outpatient) and death from pneumonia.