Incidence and Risk of Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Adults with Distinct Underlying Medical Conditions: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia requiring hospitalisation among middle-aged and older adults with and without specific underlying medical conditions, evaluating the influence of these conditions in the risk of developing pneumonia. METHODS: Population-based prospective cohort study included 2,025,730 individuals ≥ 50 years around Catalonia, Spain. The Catalonian information system for the development of research in primary care (SIDIAP) was used to establish baseline characteristics of the cohort (comorbidities and underlying medical conditions). Hospitalisations from pneumococcal pneumonia occurred among cohort members between 01/01/2015 and 31/12/2015 were collected from hospital discharge codes of 68 reference Catalonian hospitals. Cox regression was used to estimate the association between baseline conditions and the risk of developing pneumonia. RESULTS: Global incidence rate (IR) of hospitalised pneumococcal pneumonia was 82.8 cases per 100,000 persons-year. Maximum IRs (per 100,000 persons-year) emerged among persons with haematological neoplasia (837.4), immunodeficiency (709.2), HIV infection (474.7), severe renal disease (407.5) and chronic pulmonary disease (305.7). In the multivariable analyses, apart from increasing age, HIV infection (hazard ratio [HR] 6.78), haematological neoplasia (HR 6.30), prior all-cause pneumonia (HR 5.27), immunodeficiency (HR 4.57) and chronic pulmonary disease (HR 2.89) were the conditions most strongly associated with an increasing risk. Pneumococcal vaccination did not emerge associated with a reduced risk in our study population (nor PPsV23 neither PCV13). CONCLUSION: Old age, immunocompromising conditions and chronic pulmonary/respiratory disease are major risk factors for pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Our data underline the need for better prevention strategies in these persons.

Prevalence of high, medium and low-risk medical conditions for pneumococcal vaccination in Catalonian middle-aged and older adults: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Updated population-based data on the frequency and distribution of risk factors for pneumococcal disease is scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of distinct comorbidities and underlying risk conditions related to an increasing risk of pneumococcal disease among Catalonian middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based study including 2,033,465 individuals aged 50 years or older registered at 01/01/2015 in the Catalonian Health Institute (Catalonia, Spain). The clinical research database of the Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP database) was used to identify high-risk (asplenia and/or immunocompromising conditions) and other increased-risk conditions (chronic pulmonary, cardiac or liver disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism and/or smoking) among study subjects. RESULTS: Globally, 980,310 (48.2%) of the 2,033,465 study population had at least one risk condition of suffering pneumococcal disease (55.4% in men vs 42.0% in women, p < 0.001; 41.7% in people 50-64 years vs 54.7% in persons 65 years or older, p < 0.001). An amount of 176,600 individuals (8.7%) had high-risk conditions (basically immunocompromising conditions). On the other hand, 803,710 persons (39.5%) had one or more other risk conditions. In fact, 212,255 (10.4%) had chronic pulmonary diseases, 248,377 (12.2%) cardiac disease, 41,734 (2.1%) liver disease, 341,535 (16.8%) diabetes mellitus, 58,781 (2.9%) alcoholism and 317,558 (15.6%) were smokers. CONCLUSION: In our setting, approximately 50 % of overall persons 50 years or older may be considered at-risk population for pneumococcal disease (almost 10 % have high-risk conditions and 40 % have other risk conditions).

Incidence and risk conditions of ischemic stroke in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate incidence and mortality from ischemic stroke in older adults with specific underlying chronic conditions, evaluating the influence of these conditions in developing stroke. MATERIALS & METHODS: Population-based cohort study involving 27,204 individuals ≥60 years old in Southern Catalonia, Spain. All cases of hospitalization from ischemic stroke (confirmed by neuro-imaging) were collected from 01/12/2008 until 30/11/2011. Incidence rates and 30-day mortality were estimated according to age, sex, chronic illnesses, and underlying conditions. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to calculate Hazards Ratio (HR) and estimate the association between baseline conditions and risk of developing stroke. RESULTS: Mean incidence rate reached 453 cases per 100,000 person-years. Maximum rates appeared among individuals with history of prior stroke (2926 per 100,000), atrial fibrillation (1815 per 100,000), coronary artery disease (1104 per 100,000), nursing-home residence (1014 per 100,000), and advanced age ≥80 years (1006 per 100,000). Thirty-day mortality was 13% overall, reaching 21% among patients over 80 years. Age [HR: 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.07], history of prior stroke (HR: 5.08; 95% CI: 3.96-6.51), history of coronary artery disease (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.21-2.25), atrial fibrillation (HR: 2.96; 95% CI: 2.30-3.81), diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.23-1.95), and smoking (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.15-2.34) emerged independently associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: Incidence and mortality from ischemic stroke remains considerable. Apart from age and history of atherosclerosis (prior stroke or coronary artery disease), atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and smoking were the underlying conditions most strongly associated with an increased risk.

[EVAN-65 project: evaluation of the effectiveness of pneumococcus vaccination in the elderly population over 65]. / Proyecto EVAN-65: evaluación de la efectividad de la vacuna antineumocócica en mayores de 65 años.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of systematic pneumococcus vaccination (PV) in the over-65s by comparing rates of incidence and severity of the cases of pneumonia caught in the community (PCC), in two cohorts-those vaccinated (VC) and those not (NVC). DESIGN: Multi-centre study of cohorts. SETTING: Primary Health Care. PARTICIPANTS: All those over 65 registered at 8 urban Health Districts and distributed into a VC (with PV) and an NVC. INTERVENTIONS: Active monitoring will be conducted for 3 years, with detection of all the PCC occurring during this period. Data sources will be the specific register of the PV programme and exhaustive review of primary Care and referral hospital clinical records (records of pneumonia cases admitted and records of pneumonia cases detected in Casualty). MAIN MEASUREMENT: Variables considered will be: age, sex, and presence or otherwise of risk factors linked to greater susceptibility to catching pneumonia (diabetes mellitus, low immunity levels, cardiopathy, COPD, tobacco dependency, alcoholism, splenectomy). To measure the effect, we will calculate the annual and overall accumulated (over 3 years) rates of incidence of pneumonia, as well as the relative and attributable risks. As measurements of its severity, we will analyse the mortality index and the "fine" ordinal scale of severity. DISCUSSION: The study will give a reply in terms of effectiveness and efficiency of the vaccine and will contribute to a definitive decision on the controversial question of the systematic indication of this vaccine for the over-65 population.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of personalized and frequent dietetic counseling in the treatment of obesity]. / Evaluación de la efectividad del consejo dietético personalizado y frecuente en el tratamiento de la obesidad.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention (personal and ongoing dietary counselling) on the treatment of obese patients. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental intervention study (prospective, randomized, with a control group and non-blind). SETTING: At the Primary Care level: carried out in two General Medical practices in the city of Valls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 64 obese patients (Body Mass Index > 27) who had not carried out any hypocaloric dieting in the previous 30 days were included in the study. The patients were drawn from both practices. In a random manner, 32 were assigned to the control group and 32 to the intervention group. There were 7 losses: people who did not attend all the appointments. INTERVENTIONS: A standard diet was distributed to the intervention group. They had a fortnightly appointment in the nursing station, where their data were recorded and they received personal dietary counselling. The control group patients were only handed and explained the diet; and given appointments at 2 and 4 months in order to check their weight. MAIN MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The average weight loss at 2 months was 3.9 kg in the intervention group and 2.2 kg in the control group (SD p < 0.05). At four months, the weight loss was 2.9 kg in the control group and 4.5 kg in the intervention group (no SD). CONCLUSIONS: Given the scant difference between the weight losses observed in both groups, the conclusion is that, although they are effective, the efficiency of these types of intervention is low. The resources required are excessive, considering that at the end a weight loss at 2 months of little relevance and at 4 months of no significance, in comparison with the control group, is obtained.