Parapneumonic effusion is a risk factor for VTE in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major, frequent, and potentially fatal health issue worldwide. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) is a relatively common complication of pneumonia. Whether PPE is a risk factor for VTE in hospitalized patients with CAP has not been studied before.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients diagnosed with CAP admitted to our center from 1 January to 31 August in 2019. The clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess the VTE related risk factors. Subgroup analysis was conducted to investigate the potential correlation between PPE and VTE among distinct subsets of hospitalized patients diagnosed with CAP.

Results: This retrospective cohort study included 703 inpatients and 73 patients were confirmed VTE. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, PPE, age, sex, gender, D-dimer, and pneumonia severity index score, were significantly correlated with VTE. Several laboratory parameters within the PPE group demonstrated significant elevated levels compared to the non-PPE cohort, encompassing inflammatory markers such as neutrophils, C reaction protein, D-dimer, as well as some coagulation indicators including platelets, and prothrombin time.

Conclusion: PPE is an independent risk factor for hospitalized CAP patients. The patients with PPE have a higher level of inflammation response. Medical clinicians should pay more attention to VTE and improve its prevention and therapeutic strategies among hospitalized CAP patients.