Risk of pneumonia among patients with splenectomy: a retrospective populationbased cohort study

CONCLUSIONS:Although not a novel finding, we confirmed that splenectomy increases the relative risk for developing pneumonia in a large study population. Even in the absence of any comorbidity, the risk remains high. Patients with splenectomy should receive preventive interventions for pneumonia, such as vaccination.  LIMITATIONS:ICD-9 codes do not differentiate if pneumonia is caused by a viral, a bacterial or unspecified organisms, and some behavioral factors like smoking could not be ascertained directly. 
Source: Annals of Saudi Medicine - Category: General Medicine Tags: ISSUE 5 Source Type: research