Original Article


Fluid assistance therapy reduces risks of hospital-acquired pulmonary fungal infection for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Weisong Chen, Dan Zhu, Hui Chen, Jianfeng Luo

Abstract

Background: This study compares the effects of fluid assistance therapy on the probability of hospital-acquired pulmonary fungal infection in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in groups C and D of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).
Methods: We investigated AECOPD patients in GOLD groups C and D who were hospitalized in the pneumology department of our hospital from March 2013 to February 2016. The study was a cohort study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups using random number list: one that received fluid assistance therapy and one that did not. Binary classification logistic regression analysis was carried out using factors such as fluid assistance therapy, glucocorticoid use, long-term smoking history, use of long-term broad-spectrum anti-infection drugs and hypoproteinemia.
Results: The pulmonary fungal infection probability of the fluid assistance therapy group was significantly lower (P=0.022). Except for long-term smoking history and fluid assistance therapy, all factors examined in the logistic regression analysis were risk factors for pulmonary fungal infection (P values: 0.008, OR 4.992, 95% CI: 1.516–16.438; 0.001, OR 7.693, 95% CI: 2.221–26.650, and 0.003, OR 6.393, 95% CI: 1.901–21.498, respectively). Fluid assistance therapy was a protective factor (P=0.001, OR 0.035, 95% CI: 0.005–0.246).
Conclusions: Fluid assistance therapy can reduce hospital-acquired pulmonary fungal infection in group C and group D AECOPD patients. This therapy may be a protective factor and help to prevent pulmonary fungal infection.

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