The Relationship between Acinetobacter Pneumonia Rale Scores and Mortality

Objectives: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is frequently detected in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is a cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The severity of lung involvement can be determined using Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) scores, which are determined based on data from chest X-rays. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the RALE scores of patients with Acinetobacter VAP and mortality.
Methods: The study was conducted in ICUs between 2020 and 2021. All ICU inpatients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia were included in the study. Patients infected with other bacteria or viruses, those with immunodeficiency, and those younger than 18 years of age were excluded from the study. Chi-square tests were used for all statistical analyses.
Results: The cohort had a mean age of 68.1 years and 56% were males. The incidence of comorbidities was 85%. Treatment was empirical antibiotics in 42% of patients and antibiotics specific to the causative agent in 58%. RALE scores were 25–36 in 50%, 37–48 in 32%, and 13–24 in 18% of the patients. The mortality rate was 65%.
Conclusion: RALE scores in the 13–24 range were correlated with persistent pneumonia using combined antibiotics. RALE scores in the 25–36 and 37–48 ranges were correlated with mortality.