Year : 2020 Month : October Volume : 9 Issue : 43 Page : 3181-3185

Clinical Profile of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Hospital Based Study

Ganesh V. Shetty1, Sharath P. Madhyastha2, Balaraj K.P.3, Charan Thej Reddy4, Avinash Holla5, Akhila Doddamani6

1, 2, 4, 5 Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India. 3Department of Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. 6Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. Sharath Madhyastha P, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576104, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Email : dr.sharathymc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

It is well known fact that diabetics are prone to develop infections and have increased mortality and morbidity than non-diabetics. However, the effect of diabetes mellitus on the risk of pneumonia remains uncertain. We wanted to study the aetiology, clinical features, and the outcome of pneumonia in diabetic patients.

 

METHODS

A comparative observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, southern India which included 50 diabetic patients with pneumonia and 50 non-diabetic patients with pneumonia. Clinical characteristics, x-ray findings, aetiological agents, and outcome of diabetic patients were analysed and compared with data from the control group.

 

RESULTS

Diabetic patients with pneumonia were more unwell at the time of admission in the form of high PSI (Pneumonia Severity Index) score (p = 0.004**), intensive care admissions and prolonged hospital stay (p = < 0.001**). Diabetic patients were significantly associated with multilobar involvement (p = 0.045*). There was no significant difference in age, gender, coexisting underlying disease and complications. In patients with diabetes mellitus, mortality was associated with multilobar infiltrate, increased PSI score (p = 0.078*) at admission.

 

CONCLUSIONS

These is a significant difference between pneumonia in diabetics compared with non-diabetics. Diabetic patients had presented with higher PSI score, required more ICU admissions and had prolonged hospitalization. Diabetes is also associated with bad prognosis and high mortality.

 

KEY WORDS

Pneumonia, Diabetes, Pneumonia Severity Index

BACKGROUND

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is defined as “an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma in a patient who has acquired the infection in the community.” The clinical presentation of CAP varies, ranging from mild pneumonia characterized by fever and productive cough to severe pneumonia characterized by respiratory distress and sepsis. Because of the wide spectrum of associated clinical features, CAP is a part of the differential diagnosis of nearly all respiratory illnesses. CAP is a frequent and potentially life threatening illness. It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adult patients and those with significant comorbidities.1 CAP is a leading cause of death worldwide. The occurrence of CAP implies either a fault in host defences, contact with a virulent micro-organism or an overwhelming inoculum.2

In addition to above mentioned factors, comorbidities in the host may impair the pulmonary defence function and can lead to increased risk of pneumonia. These include older age, chronic lung diseases and immunocompromising conditions like diabetes mellitus (DM).3

Viral respiratory tract infections can lead to primary viral pneumonias and also predispose to secondary bacterial pneumonia. This is most pronounced for influenza virus infection. Conditions that increase risk of macro aspiration of stomach contents and / or micro aspiration of upper airway secretions predispose to CAP, such as alteration in consciousness (e.g. due to stroke, seizure, anaesthesia, drug or alcohol use) or dysphagia due to oesophageal lesions or dysmotility. Smoking, alcohol overuse (e.g. > 8 0 g / day), and opioid use are key modifiable behavioural risk factors for CAP. Other factors that have been associated with an increased risk of CAP include crowded living conditions (e.g. prisons, homeless shelters), residence in low-income settings, and exposure to environmental toxins.3

The most commonly identified causes of CAP can be grouped into three categories. They are (1) Typical bacteria (eg, S. pneumoniae (most common bacterial cause), H. Influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Group A streptococci, aerobic gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella spp or Escherichia coli). (2) Atypical bacteria (e.g. Legionella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia). (3) Respiratory viruses (e.g. Influenza A and B viruses, Rhinoviruses, Parainfluenza viruses, Adenoviruses, Respiratory Syncytial virus, Corona virus). The relative prevalence of these pathogens varies with geography, pneumococcal vaccination rates, host risk factors (e.g. smoking), season, and pneumonia severity.

Most studies support an increased risk of infection amongst patients with diabetes mellitus compared with the general populace, although the magnitude of this risk is uncertain.4 Host- and organism-specific issues that may enlighten why diabetic patients are more vulnerable to particular infections. Several aspects of immunity, such as specific neutrophil functions like chemotaxis, endothelial adherence, phagocytosis, intracellular bactericidal action and cell-mediated immunity are all lowered in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.5

Numerous studies have proved that diabetic patients consult healthcare facility for infections more frequently than non-diabetics.6 The risk of infection in diabetes is directly related to degree of hyperglycemia.7 Nevertheless it is still unclear as to whether pneumonia in diabetics has specific clinical manifestations, high mortality or involves more virulent pathogens. The present study is therefore undertaken to identify the clinical, radiological findings, the etiological agents and the outcome of pneumonia in diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

A comparative observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, southern part of India which included 50 patients of pneumonia with diabetes and similar age and gender matched 50 patients of pneumonia in non-diabetics. The study was conducted for a period of 2 years, from September 2011 to September 2013. This was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC). All patients were assessed clinically by thorough history and general physical and systemic examination.

Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed based on ADA (American Diabetic Association) guidelines. That is when FBS (fasting plasma sugar) more than 126 mg / dl, and / or PPBS (2 hour post prandial blood sugar) more than 200 mg / dL or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) more than 6.5 %.8,9 However, previously diagnosed diabetic cases were confirmed by verifying the old case sheet and medication chart.

Routine blood tests like complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), kidney and liver function tests, RBS (Random Blood Sugar), FBS, PPBS, HbA1c and urine microscopy were done in all the patients on admission. The tests were repeated as and when needed. Sputum was sent for gram staining, culture and antibiotic sensitivity, before institution of antibiotics. In all the patients’ chest radiography was taken on day of admission and one week post antibiotic therapy. Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasound thorax were also done in some selected cases. The clinical characteristics, x-ray findings, etiological agents, admission PSI score10 (Table 1), need of intensive care unit (ICU), complications and total duration of hospital stay of diabetic patients were analysed and compared with data taken from control group.

 

Inclusion Criteria

Type II diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients who satisfy bellow mentioned criteria:

  1. Classical symptoms suggestive of pneumonia such as pyrexia, productive or dry cough, with or without chest pain or dyspnoea.
  2. Chest radiography suggestive of pneumonia in the form of unilateral or bilateral homogenous or non-homogenous opacities.
  3. Blood investigation shows presence of leukocytosis with neutrophilia / lymphocytosis, elevated ESR.
  4. Sputum gram staining and culture growing pathological organisms.

 

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with hospital acquired pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia and HIV positive or with other immune compromised states are excluded from the study.

 

 

Statistical Analysis

Patients were divided into two groups, pneumonia in diabetics (Study Group - SG) and pneumonia in non-diabetics (Control Group - CG). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 15.0, South Asia Bangalore) computer software. Qualitative data were presented as frequency and percentages and analyzed using chi-square test or fisher’s exact test (in case of 2 x 2 contingency tables). Unpaired “t” test was used to determine the mean difference between diabetes and non-diabetes group.  Quantitative data was presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) and ‘p’ values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

A total number of 100 pneumonia cases were analysed, out of which 50 cases were pneumonia in diabetics (Study Group - SG) and 50 cases were pneumonia in non-diabetics (Control Group - CG).

The average age in diabetic group (SG) was 57.72 ± 8.25 yr. and in non-diabetic group (CG) was 56.88 ± 9.39 yrs. Most of the study population (74 % in SG and 72 % in CG) were between 51 to 70 yr. Samples are age matched with p = 0.636. In both groups male patients (58 % in CG and 54 % in SG) are slightly more compared to female patients. There was no statistically significant difference regarding gender in both the groups. Both the groups are gender matched with p = 0.687.

The most common symptoms in both the groups were fever, cough, and expectoration. Around half of the study subjects had dyspnoea. Few patients complained chest pain and haemoptysis. Chronic obstructive airway disease was the most common co morbidity present in CG and SG (14 % vs. 16 %), followed by coronary artery disease (CAD) (10 % vs. 16 %). There was no statistically significant variation in terms of co-morbidities in between two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in habits (alcohol and smoking) between two groups.  (Table 2)

 


Figure 1. Comparison of Chest X-Ray Findings  between the Two Groups


 

The average blood haemoglobin (Hb) in CG was 12.81 ± 1.80 and in SG 10.90 ± 1.55. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001**), indicating a greater number of patients in study group (diabetics) were anaemic. The TLC (Total Leukocyte Count) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly high in SG compared to CG. The blood urea and creatinine were also high in SG but which was statistically not significant. Deranged RFT in SG was may be related to sepsis or diabetic nephropathy. Involvement of more than two zones in chest radiography (multilobe) was significantly more in diabetic group (42 % in CG vs. 62 % in SG) (p = 0.045*). (Table 3) (Figure 1)

Gram staining reports revealed that Gram positive cocci were significantly high (p = 0.009**) in non-diabetic group than diabetic group (62 % vs. 36 %). A combination of gram positive cocci and gram negative bacilli (GPC / GNB) was significantly (p = 0.029*) more in study group (SG - 22 % vs. CG - 8 %). The frequent pathogens on sputum culture in CG were Streptococcus pneumonia (42 %), Staphylococcus aureus (20.0 %) and Klebsiella pneumonia (10 %). Whereas in SG, Streptococcus pneumonia was found in 28 %, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (14 %) and polymicrobial (24 %). Staph. aureus growth is significantly more in non-diabetics (p = 0.03*) and polymicrobial growth is significantly more in diabetics (p = 0.029*). (Table 3)

 

 

Need of intensive care (ICU) and pneumonia complications were more in SG. More deaths were noted in diabetics (16 %) in comparison with non-diabetics (6 %). The number of days spent in hospital was also significantly high (p = 0.001**) in SG (12.80 ± 2.92) in comparison with CG (10.20 ± 2.56). (Figure 2) The pneumonia related complications like synpneumonic effusion (10 % vs. 6 %), sepsis & septic shock (22 % vs. 14 %), kidney failure (8 % vs. 2 %), multi organ dysfunction (8 % vs. 2 %), and cardiac arrest (6 % vs. 0 %) were also more in diabetics but these findings were statistically not significant. Significantly higher PSI class (class IV and V) was observed in diabetic group (p = 0.004** for class IV), in comparison with non-diabetic who were largely among PSI class I (p = 0.04**). PSI score was significantly high in study group (93.43 ± 38.14) in comparison with control group (80.27 ± 38.14), (p = 0.078*). (Table 4)              

DISCUSSION

In the present study, we have compared parameters like age, gender, signs & symptoms, coexisting underlying illness, addictions, investigations, intensive care admissions, complications, duration of hospital stay, mortality and pneumonia severity index between diabetics and non-diabetic patients with pneumonia were analysed.

It was mentioned in the previous studies that diabetic patients were significantly older than non-diabetic patients and there was a male predominance in diabetics.11,12 Even in our study average age of presentation was 58 yrs. with maximum people between 51 - 70 yrs. (74 %). But there was no statistically significant difference concerning gender in both the groups.

Miquel et al had conducted a prospective study included 660 pneumonia patients, out of which 106 were diabetics. More than half of diabetic patients in that study had coexisting underlying illness along with diabetes. Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is the most common disease among them.11 The present study revealed that about 42 % patients had coexisting underlying illness, predominantly COPD (16 %) and IHD (16 %).

A study from Bangladesh reported that Klebsiella pneumoniae to be the most common in diabetic patients; on the other hand, Pneumococcus was the most frequent bacterium causing CAP in non-diabetic subjects. Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the other bacteria found in the study.13 Miquel et al reported that there was no significant difference in causative organisms in patients with diabetes and non-diabetes.11 The aetiology of pneumonia may vary with change in study population and geographic areas.14 In the present study the frequent pathogens among non-diabetics were Streptococcus pneumonia (42 %), Staphylococcus aureus (20.0 %) and Klebsiella pneumonia (10 %). In the study group (diabetics), Streptococcus pneumonia (28 %), Klebsiella pneumonia (14 %) and Polymicrobial (24 %).Staphylococcus aureus growth is significantly more in non-diabetics (p = 0.03*) and polymicrobial growth is significantly more in diabetics (p = 0.029*)

According to Miquel et al there was no significant difference in need of intensive care (ICU) requirement in between the two groups.11 Potgieter et al stated that Klebsiella and Staphylococcal pneumonia in diabetic patients has more severe course of disease and more often required mechanical ventilator support.15 Even in our study there were more number of ICU admissions among patients with diabetes but this was not significant statistically.

Koziel H et al stated that the usual complications of pneumonia in diabetics were synpneumonic effusion, pyothorax and sepsis.16 Miquel et al also said that pleural effusion was considerably more in patients with diabetes.11 Present study also showed that there was slightly more complications in diabetic group but they were statistically insignificant.

According Miquel et al, majority of non-diabetics have less severe presentation in the form of lower PSI class (class I) whereas more severe presentations in diabetics with PSI class IV.11 The present study also shows that large number of non-diabetics fall under PSI class I in whereas majority of diabetic patients with pneumonia presented with class IV and class V which was statistically significant. Kornum JB et al did a case-control study which included 34,239 patients found that risk and prolonged hospitalization is associated with diabetes.17 In the present study also diabetic group had required more number hospital stay than non-diabetic patients.

Jensen AV et all had conducted multicenter prospective cohort study in Germany and Austria including 1961 patients with CAP found that diabetics had a higher six months mortality rate compared to non-diabetics (12.1 % vs. 3.8 %, respectively; p = 0.001).18 Miquel et al  also reported more deaths among diabetic patients.11 Akbar DH in contrast, reported that there was no significant difference in mortality between two groups.11 Even in our study more deaths were observed in diabetic patients but it was statistically not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These is a significant difference between pneumonia in diabetics as compared to that in non-diabetics. Diabetic patients had presented with higher PSI score, required more ICU admissions and prolonged hospitalization. Diabetes is also associated with poor prognosis and high mortality.

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DISCLOSURE AND FUNDING

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Financial or other competing interests: None.

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at jemds.com.

DATA SHARING STATEMENT

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How to cite this article

Shetty GV, Madhyastha SP, Balraj KP, et al. Clinical profile of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a hospital based study. J Evolution Med Dent Sci 2020;9(43):3181-3185, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2020/698

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