Pneumococcal disease: a retrospective cohort study on associated factors and risk factors for mortality among hospitalised adults in Singapore
Abstract Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae infections can lead to severe morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). This study assesses factors associated with pneumococcal disease, and risk factors for mortality among hospitalised adults in Singapore.Methods: Retrospective study of patients with pneumococcal disease, based on streptococcal urinary antigen testing and/or sterile site cultures positive for S. pneumoniae , admitted to a tertiary hospital from 2015-2017. IPD and non-IPD cases were compared against a control group of patients, admitted over the same period but with negative results for the abovementioned tests.Results: We identified 496 pneumococcal disease cases, of whom 92 (18.5%) had IPD. The mean age of cases was 69.1±15.4yrs, and 65.5% were male. Compared with controls (N=9,181), IPD patients were younger (mean age 61.5±16.3yrs, vs 72.2±16.1yrs in controls; p<0.001) and with less co-morbidities [median Charlson’s score 1 (IQR 0-4), vs 3 (1-5) in controls; p<0.001]. IPD patients also had the highest proportions with intensive care unit (ICU) admission (20.7%), inpatient mortality (26.1%) and longest median length of stay [9 (8-17) days]. On multivariate analysis, IPD was negatively associated with prior pneumococcal vaccination (adjusted odds ratio=0.20, 95%CI 0.06–0.69; p=0.011). Risk factors for mortality among pneumococcal disease patients were ICU admission, diagnosis of IPD, age ≥85yrs and Charlson’s score >3.Conclusion: Patients with pneumococcal disease (especially IPD) were younger and had less co-morbidities than controls, but had higher risk of severe clinical outcomes and mortality. Pneumococcal vaccination was negatively associated with IPD and should be encouraged among high-risk patients.