BMJ  2007;335:1004-1005 (17 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39364.668194.80

Editorials

Management of community acquired pneumonia

New studies assess the effectiveness of vitamins for prevention and initial antibiotic coverage for atypical pathogens

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Research into community acquired pneumonia has traditionally focused on prognosis and on finding the most effective antibiotic treatment. Little attention has been paid to identifying risk factors for this disease, particularly modifiable ones.

A recent prospective cohort study conducted within the nurses' health study II measured the effect of dietary and supplemental intake of individual vitamins on the incidence of a first case of community acquired pneumonia in otherwise healthy well nourished women.¹ The participants were 83 165 nurses aged 27-44 in 1991. Dietary information and the occurrence of community acquired pneumonia were assessed every four years through a semi-structured questionnaire. The diagnosis was confirmed by a chest radiograph.

On the basis of 10 years of follow-up and 925 new cases of community acquired pneumonia—and after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, and total energy intake—no overall association was found between dietary and supplemental . . . [Full text of this article]

Karl-Bauer-Weg 5, 31137 Hildesheim, Germany

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Leibovici, L., Drummond, C., Johnson, A. (2008). Randomized controlled trials in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. J Antimicrob Chemother 62: 217-218 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Leibovici, L., Robenshtock, E., Paul, M. (2007). Antibiotic coverage is atypical: evidence from randomised trials. BMJ 335: 1109-1109 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Atypical coverage for community acquired pneumonia - evidence from randomised controlled trials

Leonard Leibovici, et al.
bmj.com, 19 Nov 2007 [Full text]

Author’s response to Leibovici et al. -- Observational studies provide valuable additional evidence

Lise M. Bjerre
bmj.com, 1 Dec 2007 [Full text]