Data from: Incidence rate of community-acquired pneumonia in adults: a population-based prospective active surveillance study in three cities in South America

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence rate and mortality of
community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults in three cities in Latin
America during a three-year period. DESIGN: Prospective population based
study. SETTING: Healthcare facilities (outpatient centers and hospitals)
in the cities of General Roca (Argentina), Rivera (Uruguay) and Concepcion
(Paraguay). PARTICIPANTS: 2302 adults aged 18 years and older with CAP
were prospectively enrolled between January 2012 and March 2015. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rate of CAP in adults, predisposing conditions
for disease, mortality at 14 days and at one year were estimated.
Incidence rate of CAP, within each age group, was calculated by dividing
the number of cases by the person-years of disease-free exposure time
based on the last census; incidence rates were expressed per 1000
person-years. RESULTS: Median age of participants was 66 years, 46.44 %
were men, 68% were hospitalized. Annual incidence rate was 7.03 (CI95%
6.64-7.44) per 1000 person-years in General Roca, 6.33 (CI95% 5.92-6.78)
per 1000 person-years in Rivera and 1.76 (CI95% 1.55-2.00) per 1000
person-years in Concepcion. Incidence rates were highest in participants
aged over 65 years. 82.4% had at least one predisposing condition and 48%
had 2 or more (multi-morbidity). Chronic heart disease (43.6%) and smoking
(37.3%) were the most common risk factors. 14-day mortality rate was 12.1%
and one-year mortality was 24.9%. Multi-morbidity was associated with an
increased risk of death at 14 days (OR 2.91; 2.23 to 3.80) and at 1 year
(OR 3.00; 2.44 to 3.70). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high incidence rate of
CAP in adults, ranging from 1.76 to 7.03 per 1000 person-years, in three
cities in South America, disclosing the high burden of disease in the
region. Efforts to improve prevention strategies are needed.