Pneumonia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Objectives: The rate of infection and hospitalization due to infection as well as the risk of mortality are greater in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of pneumonia, length of hospital stay, rate of patients requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU), and rates of discharge or mortality among patients hospitalized due to DM in internal medicine inpatient clinics. Methods: A total of 399 patients with DM (170 males and 229 females) were enrolled in the study. The frequency of pneumonia in the group was determined, and the length of hospital stay, rate of patients requiring hospitalization in ICU, discharge rate, mortality, and factors related to mortality were evaluated, comparing those with pneumonia and DM and those with DM alone. Results: The frequency of pneumonia among the DM patients was 12% (48 cases). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity in the 2 groups (31.8% and 32.8%, respectively, among those with pneumonia and DM and those with DM alone). The rate of discharge, mortality, and the rate of patients transferred to the ICU was 92% (367 cases), 4% (16 cases), and 4% (16 cases). The length of hospital stay, discharge rate, mortality, and the rate of patients transferred to the ICU was similar between the patients with and without pneumonia (p>0.05 for each), but the length of hospital stay and the rate of patients transferred to the ICU was higher among patients with pneumonia (p<0.05 for each). Conclusion: About 10% of diabetic patients were treated for pneumonia. Infection in patients with DM leads to a longer hospital stay and fewer hospital discharges. The Infection-related disease burden leads to serious morbidity in patients with DM, and therefore, longer hospital stay and more patients transferred to ICU.