LATE-BREAKING ABSTRACT: Microbiology and radiology of pneumonia in COPD

Background: Pneumonia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in COPD. We aimed to characterise the infectious aetiology and radiology of pneumonia in COPD and identify potential risk factors. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records for patients with COPD (FEV 1 /FVC Results: There were 235 pneumonia admissions and 706 for AECOPD. 43% of patients with radiological diagnosis of pneumonia had a diagnosis of pneumonia on their discharge summary. Patients admitted with pneumonia were more likely to have had a previous admission with pneumonia in the last year (21% v 6% p Gram negative organisms were identified in 21% of pneumonias and 13% of exacerbations. The most commonly isolated organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7% of pneumonia, 5% of AECOPD). 44% of pneumonias were lobar, 42% multifocal and 13% bibasal. Conclusions: Incidence of pneumonia in COPD is likely to be underestimated. The most commonly isolated bacteria were gram negatives which may not respond to current antibiotic guidelines for community acquired pneumonia. Risk factors for pneumonia are previous history of pneumonia and age≥ 75 years.