Factors associated with 30-day mortality in elderly inpatients with community acquired pneumonia during 2 influenza seasons

Factors Associated with Hospitalized Community-Acquired Pneumonia among Elderly Patients Receiving Home-Based Care

(1) Background: Pneumonia stands as a prevalent infectious disease globally, contributing significantly to mortality and morbidity rates. In Taiwan, pneumonia ranks as the third leading cause of death, particularly affecting the elderly population (92%). This study aims to investigate factors associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among elderly individuals receiving home-based care. (2) Methods: Conducted between January 2018 and December 2019, this retrospective study involved a medical chart review of elderly patients under home-based care. A multiple logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with CAP in this demographic. (3) Results: Analysis encompassed 220 elderly patients with an average age of 82.0 ± 1.1 years. Eighty-five patients (38.6%) were hospitalized for CAP. Predominant diagnoses included cancer (32.3%), stroke (24.5%), and dementia (23.6%). Significant predictors of CAP for elderly patients under home-based care included male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 4.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95-8.60, p < 0.001), presence of a nasogastric (NG) tube (OR = 8.85, 95% CI: 3.64-21.56, p < 0.001), and a borderline negative association with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.13-1.02, p = 0.0546). End-of-life care indicators for these patients with CAP included an increased number of hospital admission days in the last month of life (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08-1.18, p < 0.001) and a higher likelihood of hospital death (OR = 3.59, 95% CI: 1.51-8.55, p = 0.004). (4) Conclusions: In the current study, significant predictors of CAP among elderly patients receiving home-based care included the presence of an NG tube and male gender, while the use of PPIs was borderline inversely associated with the risk of CAP. Notably, more admission days in the last month of life and death in the hospital were found to be associated with end-of-life care for this group.

Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of community acquired pneumonia in Europe: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infectious lung inflammation contracted outside the hospital. CAP is a leading cause of death among young children, elderly, and immunocompromised persons. Incidence can reach 14 cases/1,000 adults. Up to 50% of cases require inpatient hospitalization. Mortality is 0.7/1,000 cases or 4 million deaths per year. We sought to summarize multi-dimensional burden of CAP for selected European countries.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature review of literature published from 2011 to 2021 whereby we sought information pertaining to the epidemiologic, clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of CAP. Findings were summarized descriptively.

RESULTS

CAP incidence in Europe is variable, with the highest burden among those of advanced age and with chronic comorbidities. Etiology is primarily bacterial infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most frequently implicated. Direct medical costs are primarily attributable to inpatient stay, which is exacerbated among high-risk populations. Higher mortality rates are associated with increasing age, the need for inpatient hospitalization, and antibiotic resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of CAP is needed, specifically the economic and quality of life burden on patients and caregivers. We recommend further assessments using population-level and real-world data employing consistent disease definitions.

C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Survival and Length of Hospital Stay in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presents high mortality rates and high healthcare costs worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been widely used as a biomarker for the management of CAP. We evaluated the performance of CRP threshold values and ΔCRP as predictors of CAP survival and length of hospital stay. Methods: A total of 173 adult patients with CAP were followed for up to 30 days. We measured serum CRP levels on days 1, 4, and 7 (D1, D4, and D7) of hospitalization, and their variations between different days were calculated (ΔCRP). A multivariate logistic regression model was created with CAP 30-day survival and length of hospital stay as dependent variables, and absolute CRP values and ΔCRP, age, sex, smoking habit (pack-years), pO2/FiO2 ratio on D1, WBC on D1, and CURB-65 score as independent variables. Results: A total of six patients with CAP died (30-day mortality 3.47%). No difference was found in CRP levels and ΔCRP between survivors and non-survivors. Using a cut-off level of 9 mg/dL, the AUC (95% CI) for the prediction of survival of CRP on D4 and D7 were 0.765 (0.538−0.992) and 0.784 (0.580−0.989), respectively. A correlation between CRP values on any day and length of hospital stay was found, with it being stronger for CRPD4 and CRPD7 (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0024, respectively). A reduction of CRP > 50% from D1 to D4 was associated with 4.11 fewer days of hospitalization (p = 0.0308). Conclusions: CRP levels on D4 and D7, but not ΔCRP, could fairly predict CAP survival. A reduction of CRP > 50% by the fourth day of hospitalization could predict a shorter hospital stay.

Risk factors for hospital readmissions in pneumonia patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Factors that are associated with the short-term rehospitalization have been investigated previously in numerous studies. However, the majority of these studies have not produced any conclusive results because of their smaller sample sizes, differences in the definition of pneumonia, joint pooling of the in-hospital and post-discharge deaths and lower generalizability.

AIM

To estimate the effect of various risk factors on the rate of hospital readmissions in patients with pneumonia.

METHODS

Systematic search was conducted in PubMed Central, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases and search engines from inception until July 2021. We used the Newcastle Ottawa (NO) scale to assess the quality of published studies. A meta-analysis was carried out with random-effects model and reported pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

In total, 17 studies with over 3 million participants were included. Majority of the studies had good to satisfactory quality as per NO scale. Male gender (pooled OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.16-1.27), cancer (pooled OR = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.61-2.34), heart failure (pooled OR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.20-1.37), chronic respiratory disease (pooled OR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.19-1.58), chronic kidney disease (pooled OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.23-1.54) and diabetes mellitus (pooled OR = 1.18; 95%CI: 1.08-1.28) had statistically significant association with the hospital readmission rate among pneumonia patients. Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant variation in the magnitude or direction of outcome, indicating lack of influence of a single study on the overall pooled estimate.

CONCLUSION

Male gender and specific chronic comorbid conditions were found to be significant risk factors for hospital readmission among pneumonia patients. These results may allow clinicians and policymakers to develop better intervention strategies for the patients.

Impact of Guideline Adherence on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in Hungary: A Retrospective Observational Study

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This retrospective observational study evaluated the antibiotic prescription patterns and associations between guideline adherence and outcomes in patients hospitalized with CAP in Hungary. Main outcome measures were adherence to national and international CAP guidelines (agent choice, dose) when using empirical antibiotics, antibiotic exposure, and clinical outcomes. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with CAP in the 30-day mortality and 30-day survival groups were compared. Fisher’s exact test and t-test were applied to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Adherence to the national CAP guideline for initial empirical therapies was 30.61% (45/147) for agent choice and 88.89% (40/45) for dose. Average duration of antibiotic therapy for CAP was 7.13 ± 4.37 (mean ± SD) days, while average antibiotic consumption was 11.41 ± 8.59 DDD/patient (range 1−44.5). Adherence to national guideline led to a slightly lower 30-day mortality rate than guideline non-adherence (15.56% vs. 16.67%, p > 0.05). In patients aged ≥ 85 years, 30-day mortality was 3 times higher than in those aged 65−84 years (30.43% vs. 11.11%). A significant difference was found between 30-day non-survivors and 30-day survivors regarding the average CRP values on admission (177.28 ± 118.94 vs. 112.88 ± 93.47 mg/L, respectively, p = 0.006) and CCI score (5.71 ± 1.85 and 4.67 ± 1.83, p = 0.012). We found poor adherence to the national and international CAP guidelines in terms of agent choice. In addition, high CRP values on admission were markedly associated with higher mortality in CAP.

Recommendations for influenza vaccination in burns patients based on a systematic review of the evidence

Severe burn injury is a serious systemic insult that can lead to life threatening secondary infections. Immunosuppression, inhalation injury and prolonged length of hospital stay are factors which predispose patients to severe respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, evidence shows that burns can put one at risk of infection long after the original injury. Currently in the United Kingdom, the annual National Flu Immunisation programme outlines guidance for groups who are deemed high risk and therefore eligible for the influenza vaccine. At present, no guidance exists for administration of the influenza vaccine in burn injured patients, despite knowledge of immunosuppression. The aim of this literature review is to examine the evidence for associations between burn injury and influenza and where available, evaluate efficacy of influenza vaccines in this cohort. In addition, literature was searched for the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in patients 65 years and above, and in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); two domains common to patients with severe burns. Three papers were found to suggest increased susceptibility to influenza following burn injury, however no papers studying the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in this group were found. Several studies demonstrated improved outcomes in patients over 65 years and patients admitted to ICU. Following evaluation of the evidence, this review advocates for the consideration of hospitalized burn patients for the influenza vaccine. We suggest avoidance of vaccine administration in the acute burn phase. Further prospective clinical trials would be required to validate these findings.

Factors associated with lethality from pneumonia in an acute care for the elderly unit: a retrospective cohort

Introduction: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death due to infection in the world, mainly affecting the older adult population. Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with lethality at 30 days in patients with pneumonia in an acute care for the elderly unit. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational, analytical retrospective cohort study including 114 patients aged 60 years and older hospitalized in an acute care geriatric unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The primary outcome was lethality at 30 days. Bivariate and multivariable log-binomial regression analyzes were performed to explore the relationship between independent variables and the primary outcome. Results: The 30-day lethality was 26.3% and the mean age was 84.45 ± 7.37 years; 54.4% of participants were men. In the multivariable analysis, age ≥90 years (Relative Risk, RR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.05-2.68, p=0.04), multilobar commitment (RR=1.92, 95% CI:1.12-3.32, p=0.02), elevated urea nitrogen (≥22.5 the median; RR=3.93, 95% CI:1.67-9.25, p<0.01), and a score of zero in the Lawton index at admission (RR=3.20, 95% CI:1.05-9.78, p=0.04) were independent predictors of 30-day lethality from pneumonia. Conclusion: In older adults hospitalized for pneumonia in an acute care geriatric unit, advanced age, the presence of multilobar commitment, dependency in functional status, and elevated ureic nitrogen levels were the main predictors of short-term lethality risk.

[Fatality and risk factors for severe courses of COVID-19 pneumonia]

The severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, the course, fatality and mortality are multifactorial and attributable to the immediate parenchymal damage in the region of the lungs (including pulmonary vessels), pre-existing comorbidities, extrapulmonary complications, secondary infections and the quality of the available medical care. In this respect, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is comparable with other severe community-acquired forms of pneumonia caused by conventional pathogens, even if the pathogenesis is different. The fatality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is approximately 20% (and therefore higher than for other pneumonia pathogens), in intensive care patients 30-40% and in invasively ventilated patients ca. 50%. Risk factors that are decisive for the fatality are old age, overweight, male gender and typical age-related cardiopulmonary underlying diseases. The clinical risk estimation in hospital should essentially be carried out in accordance with the valid guidelines on pneumonia. The value of laboratory surrogate markers specific for COVID-19 for risk estimation and treatment optimization cannot yet be adequately assessed.

Factors Associated With 30-Day Rehospitalization and Mortality in Older Patients After a Pneumonia Admission

OBJECTIVES

Short-term rehospitalization and mortality are common events in older patients after a pneumonia admission, yet little knowledge exists on how to identify the patients at risk of these events. This knowledge is needed to ensure that health care attention is given to those with the highest needs. We therefore aimed to identify factors of importance for short-term rehospitalization and mortality in older patients after admission for pneumonia.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

The Danish nationwide registries.

PARTICIPANTS

In total, 246,245 individuals aged 65-99 years who experienced 298,564 admissions for pneumonia from 2000 to 2016.

METHODS

The explored factors in patients were demographic characteristics, health-seeking behavior, comorbidity, and medication use. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for 30-day rehospitalization and 30-day mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Of the 298,564 admissions for pneumonia, 23.0% were rehospitalized and 8.1% died within 30 days of follow-up. Most of the investigated factors were significantly associated with these 2 outcomes. The HRs for rehospitalization ranged from 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.85) for old vs young age to 4.29 (95% CI 4.05-4.54) for many vs no prior admissions, whereas the HRs for mortality ranged from 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.91) for any vs no practical home care to 5.47 (95% CI 5.08-5.88) for old vs young age. Number of comorbidities, medications, and prior contacts to the health care system were associated with higher risk of both rehospitalization and mortality in a dose-response manner.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

This study identified several potential factors of importance for short-term rehospitalization and mortality in older patients discharged after pneumonia. This knowledge can help physicians identify the patients with the highest need of care after admission for pneumonia, thus enabling efficient discharge planning and high-quality provision of care in primary care settings.

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on mortality in community acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis

Background: The aim of the present study was to systematically review the exiting literature and to proceed a meta-analysis to determine the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on mortality in patients with community acquired pneumonia. Materials & methods: Eligible studies were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used as effect estimates. Results: Twenty cohort studies were included. Analysis of unadjusted data revealed nonsignificant short- and long-term mortality associated with COPD. Analysis of adjusted 30-days mortality showed similarly no association between COPD and increased 30-days mortality (OR: 1.06, [0.68, 1.44]) but a positive association when COPD was confirmed spirometrically (OR: 1.84, [1.06, 2.62]). Conclusion: There is still no evidence to clear the impact of COPD on mortality in patients with community acquired pneumonia. More prospective studies with spirometrically-defined COPD and adequate adjustment for confounders are needed.

Management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections and of patients with chronic lung diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic (as of 9 May 2020) : Statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the healthcare system has so far been prevented. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV‑2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic; however, COVID-19 specific adjustments are useful. The treatment of patients with chronic lung diseases has to be adapted during the pandemic but must still be guaranteed.

Risk Prediction for Adverse Outcomes for Frail Older Persons with Complex Healthcare and Social Care Needs Admitted to a Community Virtual Ward Model

Purpose

Population ageing is challenging healthcare systems with limited resources, necessitating the development of new care models to address the needs of older, frail community-dwellers. Community Virtual Wards (CVW) reduce adverse events in these patients. We examined the effect of an established CVW on pre-defined health trajectories (between “stable”, “deteriorating”, and “unstable” states) and characteristics that increased the likelihood of adverse healthcare outcomes (hospitalization, institutionalization and death).

Patients and Methods

We collected prospective data on frail patients admitted to a CVW in a single centre in Ireland. Relationships between risk scores, health states and adverse outcomes at 30, 60 and 90 days after admission were examined using multinomial regression analysis.

Results

In total, 88 community-dwellers, mean (±SD) age of 82.8 ±6.4 years, were included. Most were severely frail on the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (mean 6.8/9 ±1.33). Reaching stability (“stable” state) within 30 days was a predictor for stability at 60 and 90 days and remaining at home. Stability was also associated with fewer care episodes (<2) (p=<0.001), a requirement for fewer healthcare professionals (HCP) (<7) (p<0.001) and lower risk of delirium (p<0.001). By contrast, being “unstable” at 60 days increased the numbers of HCP referrals (>7) and was predictive of more acute episodes (>2) and institutionalization or death (p<0.001). Predictors of adverse outcomes of either institutionalization or death included frailty status, function, mobility, nutrition, pressure ulcer risk and cognition.

Conclusion

A CVW model can provide a framework for monitoring and case management to support older people to remain at home or identify those at risk of institutional care. The use of defined health states helped to stratify those at lower or higher risk in an already high-risk frail population. Level of frailty, function, mobility, nutrition, pressure ulcer risks and cognition were predictive of remaining at home and reaching a level of stability or instability/deterioration and institutional care.

[Statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP)]

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the health care system has so far been avoided. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV‑2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic. However, COVID-19-specific adjustments are useful. The treatment of patients with chronic lung diseases must be adapted during the pandemic, but must still be guaranteed.

Seasonal influenza surveillance: Observational study on the 2017–2018 season with predominant B influenza virus circulation

Introduction

Influenza is a common respiratory infectious disease affecting population worldwide yearly. The aim of this work is to describe the 2017–2018 influenza season and how it affected elderly population in Catalonia despite moderate vaccine coverage among this age group.

Methods

Influenza surveillance based on a primary care sentinel surveillance, virological indicators systematic sampling of ILI attended and severe influenza confirmed cases (SHLCI) admitted to hospital.

Analysis of data by Chi-squared, ANOVA, multiple regression and negative control test or case to case for vaccine effectiveness assessment in primary care and SHLCI respectively.

Results

Moderate-high intensity and early onset season with predominance of influenza B virus (IVB) (63%) followed by an increase of circulation of influenza A virus (IVA). A total of 419 IV from primary care samples. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) in primary care setting was 14% (95%CI: 0–47%). 1306 severe cases (adjusted cumulative incidence 18.54/100,000 inhabitants (95%CI: 17.54–19.55)). The highest proportion of severe cases were in the >64 (65.1%) (aOR 15.70; 95%CI: 12.06–20.46; p < 0.001) followed by 45–64 yo (25.4%) (aOR 6.03; 95%CI: 4.57–7.97). VE in preventing intensive care unit (ICU) admission was 35% (95%CI: 10–54%). Final outcome death while hospitalized occurred in 175 SHLCI cases with a case fatality rate of 13.4%.

Conclusions

2017–2018 influenza season was an unusual epidemic season with an early onset, great predominance of influenza B (Yamagata strain) virus with a high hospitalization rate of severe cases among elderly stressing the need to upgrade vaccine uptake in this age group.

Seasonal influenza surveillance: Observational study on the 2017-2018 season with predominant B influenza virus circulation

INTRODUCTION

Influenza is a common respiratory infectious disease affecting population worldwide yearly. The aim of this work is to describe the 2017-2018 influenza season and how it affected elderly population in Catalonia despite moderate vaccine coverage among this age group.

METHODS

Influenza surveillance based on a primary care sentinel surveillance, virological indicators systematic sampling of ILI attended and severe influenza confirmed cases (SHLCI) admitted to hospital.Analysis of data by Chi-squared, ANOVA, multiple regression and negative control test or case to case for vaccine effectiveness assessment in primary care and SHLCI respectively.

RESULTS

Moderate-high intensity and early onset season with predominance of influenza B virus (IVB) (63%) followed by an increase of circulation of influenza A virus (IVA). A total of 419 IV from primary care samples. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) in primary care setting was 14% (95%CI: 0-47%). 1306 severe cases (adjusted cumulative incidence 18.54/100,000 inhabitants (95%CI: 17.54-19.55)). The highest proportion of severe cases were in the >64 (65.1%) (aOR 15.70; 95%CI: 12.06-20.46; p < 0.001) followed by 45-64 yo (25.4%) (aOR 6.03; 95%CI: 4.57-7.97). VE in preventing intensive care unit (ICU) admission was 35% (95%CI: 10-54%). Final outcome death while hospitalized occurred in 175 SHLCI cases with a case fatality rate of 13.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

2017-2018 influenza season was an unusual epidemic season with an early onset, great predominance of influenza B (Yamagata strain) virus with a high hospitalization rate of severe cases among elderly stressing the need to upgrade vaccine uptake in this age group.

Current Status of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE

Worldwide, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infection that occurs in older adults, who may have pulmonary comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there have been clinical studies on the coexistence of CAP with COPD, there remain some controversial findings. This review presents the current status of COPD in CAP patients, including the disease burden, clinical characteristics, risk factors, microbial etiology, and antibiotic treatment.

DATA SOURCES

A literature review included full peer-reviewed publications up to January 2018 derived from the PubMed database, using the keywords "community-acquired pneumonia" and "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease".

STUDY SELECTION

Papers in English were reviewed, with no restriction on study design.

RESULTS

COPD patients who are treated with inhaled corticosteroids are at an increased risk of CAP and have a worse prognosis, but data regarding the increased mortality remains unclear. Although Streptococcus pneumoniae is still regarded as the most common bacteria isolated from patients with CAP and COPD, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is also important, and physicians should pay close attention to the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in these two organisms.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD is a common and important predisposing comorbidity in patients who develop CAP. COPD often aggravates the clinical symptoms of patients with CAP, complicating treatment, but generally does not appear to affect prognosis.

Bacteriological incidence in pneumonia patients with pulmonary emphysema: a bacterial floral analysis using the 16S ribosomal RNA gene in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

Pulmonary emphysema is an important radiological finding in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, but bacteriological differences in pneumonia patients according to the severity of emphysematous changes have not been reported. Therefore, we evaluated the bacteriological incidence in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of pneumonia patients using cultivation and a culture-independent molecular method. Japanese patients with community-acquired pneumonia (83) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (94) between April 2010 and February 2014 were evaluated. The BALF obtained from pneumonia lesions was evaluated by both cultivation and a molecular method. In the molecular method, ~600 base pairs of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes in the BALF were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and clone libraries were constructed. The nucleotide sequences of 96 randomly selected colonies were determined, and a homology search was performed to identify the bacterial species. A qualitative radiological evaluation of pulmonary emphysema based on chest computed tomography (CT) images was performed using the Goddard classification. The severity of pulmonary emphysema based on the Goddard classification was none in 47.4% (84/177), mild in 36.2% (64/177), moderate in 10.2% (18/177), and severe in 6.2% (11/177). Using the culture-independent molecular method, Moraxella catarrhalis was significantly more frequently detected in moderate or severe emphysema patients than in patients with no or mild emphysematous changes. The detection rates of Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were unrelated to the severity of pulmonary emphysematous changes, and Streptococcus species – except for the S. anginosus group and S. pneumoniae – were detected more frequently using the molecular method we used for the BALF of patients with pneumonia than using culture methods. Our findings suggest that M. catarrhalis is more frequently detected in pneumonia patients with moderate or severe emphysema than in those with no or mild emphysematous changes on chest CT. M. catarrhalis may play a major role in patients with pneumonia complicating severe pulmonary emphysema.

Pharmacotherapy for community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly

INTRODUCTION

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an increasing problem in the elderly that is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Given the expected increased life expectancy, this problem is only likely to worsen, so it has been considered that treatment effects must be examined separately in elderly adults with CAP. Areas covered: In this narrative review, we give an update of the available data of antibiotics for elderly patients with CAP. Clinical features, drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, and outcomes differ in CAP depending on patient age. Older age, for example, can affect the effect of specific antibiotic regimens on important CAP clinical outcomes. Current guidelines do not offer specific recommendations for the management of CAP in elderly patients. Expert opinion: Most of our knowledge about the treatment of CAP in elderly patients has been gained from studies in young populations. However, elderly patients with CAP deserve special attention because there are several factors in this population that could influence their response to antibiotic regimens in CAP.