Morbidity and mortality of pneumonia in adults in six Latin American countries

Objective: To estimate the morbidity and mortality of pneumonia in adults over 50 years of age in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Methods: Local data sources were queried to estimate the number of hospitalized and outpatient pneumonia cases and deaths in the year 2009. Pneumonia cases were identified in adults aged ≥50 years using ICD-10 codes. The hospital case fatality rate (HCFR) by age corresponds to the percentage of mortality per hospitalization.

Results: Cases of hospitalized pneumonia (incidence per 100 000 inhabitants/year) in adults ≥50 years were: Argentina 39 674 (401.1); Brazil 225 341 (611.6); Chile 30 434 (738.5); Colombia 26 955 (326.6); Mexico 82 397 (413.1); Venezuela 31 601 (640.1). The number of hospital deaths (CFR%) were: Argentina 5099 (13%); Brazil 47 287 (21%); Chile 3072 (10%); Colombia 2981 (11%); Mexico 13 312 (16%); Venezuela 11 101 (35%). Cases of outpatient pneumonia (incidence per 100 000 inhabitants/year) were: Argentina 54 093 (546.8); Brazil 260 277 (706.4); Chile 33 173 (804.9); Colombia 27 713 (335.8); Mexico 83 354 (417.9); Venezuela 39 645 (803.0). The percentage of episodes treated as outpatient was 64% (range 57-80%) among those aged 50-64 years and 39% (range 8-56%) among those ≥85 years. Across countries, 51% of hospitalizations (range 42-63%) and 69% of deaths (range 65-72%) were in adults ≥75 years.

Conclusions: Pneumonia is a common cause of hospitalization and mortality in adults in Latin America. Incidence increases substantially with increasing age, as does the likelihood of hospitalization and mortality.