FACTORS AFFECTING MORTALITY IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA TREATED IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia who were receiving intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive. The medical records of patients over 65 years of age who were admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia between January 1, 2013 and February 29, 2020 were reviewed. The factors associated with mortality in the patients who had died were examined. Results: A total of 208 patients with a mean age of 75.11 +/- 5.59 years, 78 of whom were women (37.5%), were included in the study. During the follow-up 35 (16.82%) of 208 patients had died from pneumonia or complications due to pneumonia. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the following parameters were found to be predictors of mortality: Charlson comorbidity index value (odds ratio: 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.132-1.1841, p=0.003), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio: 0.292, 95% confidence interval: 0.094-1.149, p=0.038), congestive heart failure (odds ratio: 0.199, 95% confidence interval: 0.051-0.782, p=0.021), saturation value in arterial blood gas (odds ratio: 0.569, 95% confidence interval: 0.804-0.939, p<0.001), intubation duration (odds ratio: 3.476, 95% confidence interval: 1.880-6.425, p<0.001), hypertension (odds ratio: 3.449, 95% confidence interval: 0.941-12.649, p=0.042), and the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio: 3.116, 95% confidence interval: 2.673-59.021, p=0.046). Conclusion: Community-acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care unit is a clinical condition with high mortality in the elderly patient population. The presence of comorbid diseases and prolonged intubation time may be associated with higher mortality.