Disease burden of pneumonia in Korean adults aged over 50 years stratified by age and underlying diseases.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to assess the disease burden of pneumonia according to age and presence of underlying diseases in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).


METHODS
We performed a retrospective, observational study and collected data targeting patients with CAP (≥ 50 years) from 11 hospitals. Disease burden was defined as total per-capita medical fee, severity (CURB-65), hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality.


RESULTS
Of the 693 enrolled subjects, elderly subjects (age, ≥ 65 years) had a higher mean CURB-65 score (1.56 vs. 0.25; p < 0.01) and higher mortality than nonelderly subjects (4.4% [n = 21] vs. 0.5% [n = 1]; p = 0.00). In addition, the total cost of pneumonia treatment was higher in elderly patients compared to in nonelderly patients (KRW 2,088,190 vs. US $1,701,386; p < 0.01). Those with an underlying disease had a higher CURB-65 score (1.26 vs. 0.68; p < 0.01), were much older (mean age, 71.24 years vs. 64.24 years; p < 0.01), and had a higher mortality rate than those without an underlying disease (3.5% [n = 20] vs. 1.7% [n = 2]; p = 0.56). Total per-capita medical fees were higher (KRW 2,074,520 vs. US $1,440,471; p < 0.01) and hospital LOS was longer (mean, 8.38 days vs. 6.42 days; p < 0.01) in patients with underlying diseases compared to those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the relatively high disease burden in Korea, particularly in the elderly and in those with an underlying disease, closer and more careful observation is needed to improve the outcomes of patients with CAP.
Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Chungju, Korea.
Jung Yeon
JY
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Chul Gyu
CG
Yoo
Outcomes Research/Evidence Based Medicine Team, Market Access Department, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Ltd., Seoul, Korea.
Hyo-Jin
HJ
Kim
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
Ki Suck
KS
Jung
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Kwang Ha
KH
Yoo
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
Age factors; Comorbidity; Costs and cost analysis; Pneumonia