Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Severe pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality among older adults, particularly in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Despite treatment advancements, the role of different factors in predicting poor outcomes remains understudied. This study aims to assess early indicators poor outcomes in severe pneumonia among older adults. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 422 older adults aged over 65 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were utilized to compare survival across categories. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between these factors and poor outcomes, while adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the patients, 13.27% (95% CI: 10.18, 16.88) died from severe pneumonia. CHF (AHR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.49), DM (AHR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.14), and COPD (AHR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.81), elevated creatinine (AHR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.63, 2.69), and low platelet count (AHR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.78, 5.34) were significantly associated with poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia and high creatinine levels may serve as early indicators of poor outcomes in severe pneumonia among older adults. Monitoring these markers is critical for guiding interventions and improving patient outcomes.