Treatment of pneumonia in elderly patients.
Pneumonia represents the leading cause of infection-related death and the fifth cause of overall mortality, in the elderly. Several risk factors for acquiring pneumonia in older age have been reported, such as alcoholism, lung and heart diseases, nursing home residence and swallowing disorders. The clinical characteristics of pneumonia in the elderly differ substantially compared with younger patients, and the severity of the disease is strongly associated with increased age and age-related comorbidities. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading pathogen responsible for pneumonia in elderly; enteric Gram-negative rods should be considered in nursing-home-acquired pneumonia, as well anaerobes in patients with aspiration pneumonia. Antimicrobial therapy should take into account the most recent guidelines, which are briefly presented in this review. A special consideration should be given to the preventive measures, including vaccination, oral care and nutrition.
Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Department of Chest and Infectious Diseases, Lungenklinik HeckeshornZum Heckeshorn, 3314109 Berlin, Germany.
Malina
M
Schmidt-Ioanas
Hartmut
H
Lode
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D014611:Vaccination
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents