Study on the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome influencing factors of severe pneumonia complicated with ARDS

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment methods, and factors influencing the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), aiming to provide references for clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 118 patients with severe pneumonia complicated by ARDS treated at our hospital from June 2018 to December 2022. Based on treatment outcomes, patients were divided into a death group (n = 75) and a survival group (n = 43). General data and clinical laboratory indicators, including blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, were collected and compared between the 2 groups to identify independent factors affecting prognosis. Among the 118 patients, the mortality rate was 63.56%. Patients in the death group had a significantly higher average age (57.15 ± 13.38 years) and a higher proportion of severe ARDS (66.67%) compared to the survival group (40.02 ± 11.41 years, 30.23%, P < .001). The death group had significantly lower white blood cell counts (8.10 ± 1.64 × 109/L), oxygenation index (19.82 ± 2.29), and duration of mechanical ventilation (7.79 ± 2.11 days) compared to the Survival group (8.92 ± 1.22 × 109/L, 13.42 ± 1.82, 12.23 ± 3.05 days, P < .05). Conversely, the death group had significantly higher levels of blood urea nitrogen (6.87 ± 1.80 mmol/L), C-reactive protein (130.55 ± 50.28 mg/L), procalcitonin (5.50 ± 2.11 ng/mL), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (41.12 ± 5.56 mm Hg), and a higher proportion of viral infections (48.00%) compared to the survival group (5.90 ± 1.72 mmol/L, 101.77 ± 55.56 mg/L, 3.98 ± 1.15 ng/mL, 35.59 ± 6.22 mm Hg, 27.91%, P < .05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratios [OR] = 1.990, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.306-3.033, P < .001), oxygenation index (OR = 1.426, 95% CI: 1.123-1.649, P < .001), and duration of mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.694, 95% CI: 0.557-0.864, P < .001) were independent factors influencing patient prognosis. This indicates that an increase in age and a decrease in oxygenation index are associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality, while shorter mechanical ventilation duration is related to poorer prognosis. Advanced age, lower oxygenation index, and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation are unfavorable prognostic factors in patients with severe pneumonia complicated by ARDS. These findings aid clinicians in identifying high-risk patients, optimizing treatment plans, and improving patient prognosis.