A retrospective study of hospitalized pneumonia in two Polish counties (2006-2008).

INTRODUCTION: In Poland, multi-cause pneumonia is not well characterized, and there is limited pneumococcal vaccination in the youngest and oldest age groups. The goal of this study was to assess hospitalized pneumonia across all age groups in two Polish counties.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using electronic administrative databases, cases were identified as county residents hospitalized at Chrzanów and Inowrocław County Hospitals from 2006-2008, assigned a diagnosis of pneumonia. Calculations by admission year, sex, and age category were: hospitalization rates per 1000 persons; in-hospital mortality rates per 100 persons; and median length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS: There were 1444 and 2956 hospitalizations for new episodes of pneumonia with rates of 3.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.57-3.96) and 5.99 (95% CI 5.77-6.21) per 1000 persons in Chrzanów and Inowrocław counties, respectively. In combined data, the highest hospitalization rate was among patients aged 0-4 years (30.77; 95% CI 29.06-32.55) followed by those aged ≥ 75 years (25.39; 95% CI 24.01-26.83). In-hospital mortality rates increased with age at both sites. The median LOS was 8 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia hospitalizations were substantial, especially for the youngest and oldest age groups. Future public health interventions aimed at these age groups might improve disease outlook.