Lactate levels and pneumonia severity index are good predictors of in-hospital mortality in pneumonia

IntroductionPneumonia is an inflammatory disease caused by micro-organisms. The pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB_65 scores are widely used to predict the mortality risk. We wanted to calculate the value of lactic acid level in predicting the mortality risk. Materials and methodsThis prospective cross-sectional study performed in a third level education and research hospital. The pneumonia diagnosis was determined by symptoms, physical examination findings, and radiological findings. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 71.016.5. The overall mortality rate was 21.8%. The mean lactate level was 3.53 +/- 3.59. Lactate is significantly higher in patients who were died. The PSI and CURB_65 scores were higher in patients who died. The cutoff value of lactate level for mortality is 3.35 mmol/mm3. The cutoff point of PSI for mortality was 148.5 points; equal or over this point the mortality rate is 90.9%. DiscussionThe early prediction of the mortality risk is important to determine the high risk patients to hospitalize in intensive care unit and close follow up. The lactate level, PSI score and CURB_65 scores are good predictors for mortality. We can use them in emergency departments for risk stratification.