|Articles|March 14, 2017

Researchers Examine Impact of Community-Acquired Pneumonia on Quality of Life in the Elderly

The sustained health-related quality-of-life of patients surviving community-acquired pneumonia has not been accurately quantified. The aim of the current study by Mangen, et al. (2017) was to quantify differences in health-related quality-of-life of community-dwelling elderly with and without community-acquired pneumonia during a 12-month follow-up period.

In a matched cohort study design, nested in a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine in community-dwelling persons of ≥65 years, health-related quality-of-life was assessed in 562 subjects hospitalized with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (i.e. diseased cohort) and 1145 unaffected persons (i.e. non-diseased cohort) matched to pneumonia cases on age, sex, and health status (EQ-5D-3L-index). Health-related quality-of-life was determined 1–2 weeks after hospital discharge/inclusion and 1, 6 and 12 months thereafter, using Euroqol EQ-5D-3L and Short Form-36 Health survey questionnaires. One-year quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were estimated for both diseased and non-diseased cohorts. Separate analyses were performed for pneumonia cases with and without radiologically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia.

The one-year excess QALY loss attributed to community-acquired pneumonia was 0.13. Mortality in the post-discharge follow-up year was 8.4% in community-acquired pneumonia patients and 1.2% in non-diseased persons (p < 0.001). During follow-up health-related quality-of-life was persistently lower in community-acquired pneumonia patients, compared to non-diseased persons, but differences in health-related quality-of-life between radiologically confirmed and non-confirmed community-acquired pneumonia cases were not statistically significant.

The researchers conclude that community-acquired pneumonia was associated with a six-fold increased mortality and 16 percent lower quality-of-life in the post-discharge year among patients surviving hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia, compared to non-diseased persons.

Reference: Mangen M-JJ, et al. The impact of community-acquired pneumonia on the health-related quality-of-life in elderly. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2017;17:208

Stay prepared and protected with the Infection Control Today newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection prevention professionals.

Related to this article

Doe Kley, MPH, RN, T-CHEST, LTC-CIP, CIC

October 14th, 2026

Shared Equipment, Missed Surfaces, and the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Doe Kley, MPH, RN, T-CHEST, LTC-CIP, CIC, discusses how environmental hygiene supports efforts to contain antimicrobial resistance, examining disinfectant efficacy, dilution failures, shared equipment, and the partnership between infection prevention and environmental services teams.

Sepsis word cloud concept (Adobe Stock 117382282 by ibreakstock)

October 14th, 2026

How AI Supports Early Sepsis Detection in ICU and NICU Patients

AI tools may help clinicians recognize sepsis earlier, but false alarms, limited external validation, and uncertain effects on patient outcomes complicate their use in adult and neonatal intensive care.

An ill gentleman on a plane. (Image credit: Author with AI)

October 13th, 2026

Kenya’s Imported Ebola Case Raises Questions About Screening and IPC Readiness

An imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease in Kenya raises questions about airport screening, clinical recognition, and potential exposures, highlighting the importance of coordinated contact tracing and hospital infection prevention readiness.

Florida (Adobe Stock 67931536 by klenger)

October 12th, 2026

Florida Dengue Outbreak 2026: Symptoms, Testing, Treatment, and Prevention

Florida’s dengue outbreak highlights the importance of recognizing symptoms, identifying warning signs, and preventing mosquito bites. Ubong Johnson, MD, explains local transmission, diagnostic testing, treatment, and practical prevention measures.

Water (Adobe Stock 456102510 by stockphoto-graf)

October 8th, 2026

Where to Begin With ST108: Water Testing and Implementation Readiness

Understanding current water quality is a starting point for ST108 implementation. John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERIS, spoke about his HSPA presentation on assessing readiness, distinguishing system qualification from routine testing, and understanding where water samples should be collected.

An imagined image of the Black Plague. (Image credit to the author with AI)

October 7th, 2026

Suspected Plague Case in Russia: What Infection Preventionists Should Know

An unexplained death at a Russian plague research institute has prompted international scrutiny. The incident raises questions about laboratory safety, transparent reporting, and infection prevention preparedness while the cause remains unconfirmed.

Image of Pathogens flying (Adobe Stock weerasak)

October 6th, 2026

How 3 Decades of SHEA Presidents Shaped the Science and Soul of Infection Prevention

Behind every landmark in infection prevention, from antimicrobial stewardship guidelines to the COVID-19 town halls that reached flight attendants and teachers, is a generation of physician-scientists who led SHEA through crises, organizational change, and scientific breakthroughs. Infection Control Today traces 30 years of SHEA presidents and the lasting mark they left on the field.

October 5th, 2026

How Can OR and Sterile Processing Teams Improve Collaboration and Instrument Readiness?

Missing instruments and processing delays can strain OR–SPD relationships. At AORN 2026, John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERIS, discusses understanding root causes, exploring off-site reprocessing for ambulatory surgical centers, and using hands-on simulation to help surgical teams see sterile processing from a different perspective.