Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: Predictors of Complications and Length of Hospital Stay

BackgroundThe primary objective of the study was to determine factors associated with complications and length of hospital stay (LOS) in hospitalized adult patients with diabetes along with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CAP is a common infection in patients with diabetes mellitus and is associated with a significant mortality and morbidity.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 215 adult patients with diabetes who were admitted with CAP. A multivariate logistic and Cox regression analysis were used to assess factors associated with complications and LOS of CAP, respectively.ResultsDuring the follow-up period from admission until discharge, 94 patients (43.7%) developed complications. Respiratory failure was the most common complication (43.6%). The average LOS of study cohort was 9.47 days. In the multivariate analysis, complications of CAP were associated with time to first dose of appropriate antibiotic therapy >8 hours since triage at emergency department (ED) (odds ratio = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.58-6.32; P = 0.001) and pneumonia severity index score >90 (odds ratio = 3.52; 95% CI: 1.45-8.53; P = 0.005). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, time to first dose of appropriate antibiotic therapy >8 hours since triage at ED (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56, P = 0.01), pneumonia severity index score >90 (HR = 0.62, P = 0.01), presence of complications (HR = 0.53, P = 0.002), duration of antibiotics (HR = 0.90, P ≤ 0.0001) and duration of symptoms prior presentation to ED (HR = 0.96, P = 0.04) were independently determinants of LOS.ConclusionsDelayed administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy at ED and moderate-to-severe pneumonia were associated with both increased risk of complications and prolonged LOS in hospitalized adult patients with diabetes along with CAP.