Study On The Necessity Of Sputum Culture And The Effect Of Empirical Treatment On Patients With Mild Community Acquired Pneumonia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the necessity of sputum culture and the effect of empirical treatment on mild cases of community acquired pneumonia(CAP).MethodsThe clinical data of patients with mild CAP who treated in the First People's Hospital of Changshu from January 1,2015 to December 31,2017 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 793 patients with mild CAP,including 481 cases with sputum examination(cases group),312 patients without sputum examination(control group)enrolled in the study.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,gender and other general composition,complications,antibiotics usage before admission,laboratory examination findings,imaging features and empirical treatment(P > 0.05).Among the 481 patients in cases group,156 cases were cured(32.5%),308 cases were improved(64.0%),11 cases were evolved(2.3%),and 6 cases were invalid(1.2%),the total effective rate was 96.5%.Among the 312 patients in the control group,102 cases were cured(32.7%),197 cases were improved(63.1%),10 cases were evolved(3.2%),and 3 cases were invalid(1.0%),the total effective rate was 95.8%.The total effective rate in the two groups was not statistically significant(P > 0.05).ConclusionIt is not necessary for patients with mild CAP to perform sputum culture routinely.Empirical treatment is effective according to Chinese guidelines for CAP.