BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA

A slowly resolving or non-resolving pneumonia (NRP) is a common clinical dilemma, affecting 10-20% of patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Potential causes are many and include inadequate or inappropriate antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistant pathogens, infectious complication...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Simon Finch, James D. Chalmers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Medical Journal 2014-10-01
Series:European Medical Journal Respiratory
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emjreviews.com/respiratory/article/brief-clinical-review-non-responding-pneumonia/
_version_ 1811286670883946496
author Simon Finch
James D. Chalmers
author_facet Simon Finch
James D. Chalmers
author_sort Simon Finch
collection DOAJ
description A slowly resolving or non-resolving pneumonia (NRP) is a common clinical dilemma, affecting 10-20% of patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Potential causes are many and include inadequate or inappropriate antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistant pathogens, infectious complications, or incorrect diagnosis. Objective criteria have been described to define clinical stability and represent the best current definition of adequate treatment response. The time to clinical stability varies substantially between patients, being longer in older patients, patients with comorbidities, and patients with a higher severity of pneumonia. NRP is associated with increased mortality and requirement for intensive care unit admission, and so it is essential to identify these patients. Once non-response is recognised, patients should undergo a full re-evaluation, including microbiological testing, repeat chest X-ray and consideration of further imaging, and an increased spectrum of antibiotic therapy if drug resistant pathogens are suspected. A wide range of non-infectious disorders can masquerade as bacterial pneumonia, including pulmonary embolism, malignancy, interstitial lung diseases, alveolar haemorrhage, and vasculitis. There is no uniform recommended diagnostic or treatment approach for patients with NRP. The investigations and interventions required are determined on a case-by-case basis. The present article reviews the causes, investigation, and management of NRP, and presents an algorithm for identification and management of these patients.
first_indexed 2024-04-13T03:04:06Z
format Article
id doaj.art-58a16a13cebc4b2ebfa47baabedc6155
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2054-3166
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-13T03:04:06Z
publishDate 2014-10-01
publisher European Medical Journal
record_format Article
series European Medical Journal Respiratory
spelling doaj.art-58a16a13cebc4b2ebfa47baabedc61552022-12-22T03:05:18ZengEuropean Medical JournalEuropean Medical Journal Respiratory2054-31662014-10-0121104111BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIASimon Finch0James D. Chalmers1Tayside Respiratory Research Group, University of Dundee and Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, ScotlandTayside Respiratory Research Group, University of Dundee and Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, ScotlandA slowly resolving or non-resolving pneumonia (NRP) is a common clinical dilemma, affecting 10-20% of patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Potential causes are many and include inadequate or inappropriate antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistant pathogens, infectious complications, or incorrect diagnosis. Objective criteria have been described to define clinical stability and represent the best current definition of adequate treatment response. The time to clinical stability varies substantially between patients, being longer in older patients, patients with comorbidities, and patients with a higher severity of pneumonia. NRP is associated with increased mortality and requirement for intensive care unit admission, and so it is essential to identify these patients. Once non-response is recognised, patients should undergo a full re-evaluation, including microbiological testing, repeat chest X-ray and consideration of further imaging, and an increased spectrum of antibiotic therapy if drug resistant pathogens are suspected. A wide range of non-infectious disorders can masquerade as bacterial pneumonia, including pulmonary embolism, malignancy, interstitial lung diseases, alveolar haemorrhage, and vasculitis. There is no uniform recommended diagnostic or treatment approach for patients with NRP. The investigations and interventions required are determined on a case-by-case basis. The present article reviews the causes, investigation, and management of NRP, and presents an algorithm for identification and management of these patients.https://www.emjreviews.com/respiratory/article/brief-clinical-review-non-responding-pneumonia/pneumoniaantibioticsbiomarkersseverity score
spellingShingle Simon Finch
James D. Chalmers
BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
European Medical Journal Respiratory
pneumonia
antibiotics
biomarkers
severity score
title BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
title_full BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
title_fullStr BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
title_full_unstemmed BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
title_short BRIEF CLINICAL REVIEW: NON-RESPONDING PNEUMONIA
title_sort brief clinical review non responding pneumonia
topic pneumonia
antibiotics
biomarkers
severity score
url https://www.emjreviews.com/respiratory/article/brief-clinical-review-non-responding-pneumonia/
work_keys_str_mv AT simonfinch briefclinicalreviewnonrespondingpneumonia
AT jamesdchalmers briefclinicalreviewnonrespondingpneumonia