Publication date: Jun 13, 2025

This retrospective cohort study examined 693 elderly patients (≥65 years) with severe pneumonia admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, assessing risk factors across two periods: pre-pandemic, during China’s zero-Covid policy. Using logistic regression and Cox models, we found notable shifts in risk factor associations. Before the pandemic, chronic kidney disease significantly increased the odds of severe pneumonia (OR: 1. 69, 95% CI: 1. 45-1. 81). During the pandemic, hazard ratios rose for endotracheal intubation (72%), ischemic heart disease (80%), and hospital stays (30%), while hypertension showed a decreased association with severe pneumonia from HR: 0. 8 (95% CI: 0. 49, 1. 32) to HR: 0. 61(95% CI: 0. 45, 0. 85). These findings suggest that pneumonia severity intensified during the pandemic, possibly reflecting healthcare disruptions or delayed care. Elderly patients, especially those with chronic conditions, would benefit from strengthened community-based health interventions to improve outcomes and resilience against future respiratory infections.

Semantics

Original Article