Table 1 Patient characteristics for the whole population and according to the radiological form detected on admission
Whole population(n = 136)Cavitary form(n = 39)Nodular form(n = 41)Infiltrate form(n = 45)
Age (years)
    Mean (SE)53 (16)52 (17)51 (16)48 (19)
    Median (range)53 (20–91)54 (30–77)52 (20–79)40 (26–81)
Gender (M/F)104/3228/1132/936/9
No history, n (%)12 (9%)2 (5%)†9 (22%)†‡0‡
Systemic immunosuppression, n (%)71 (52.2%)16 (41%)*16 (39%)‡32 (71%)‡*
    Neoplasm, n (%)27 (20%)8 (21%)9 (22%)5 (11%)
    HIV, n (%)38 (28%)4 (10%)*6 (14.5%)‡26 (58%)‡*
Local immunosuppression, n (%)76 (56%)30 (77%)*23 (56%)16 (36%)*
    COPD, n (%)59 (43%)22 (56%)*20 (49%)12 (27%)*
    Pulmonary tuberculosis, n (%)35 (26%)13 (33%)10 (24%)9 (20%)
    Bronchiectasis, n (%)12 (9%)2 (5%)6 (14.5%)3 (7%)
Alteration of general state, n (%)121 (89%)36 (92%)35 (85%)40 (89%)
Respiratory symptoms, n (%)130 (96%)36 (94%)40 (97%)43 (96%)
    Cough, n (%)107 (79%)31 (79%)33 (80.5%)37 (82%)
    Sputum, n (%)86 (63%)24 (62%)28 (68%)26 (58%)
    Haemoptysis, n (%)15 (11%)7 (18%)4 (10%)3 (7%)
Extrapulmonary signs, n (%)22 (16%)4 (10%)3 (7%)‡*13 (29%)‡*
Pathological pulmonary auscultation, n (%)131 (96%)23 (59%)25 (61%)27 (60%)
Sweating, n (%)8 (6%)3 (8%)1 (2.5%)4 (9%)
Diagnosis by sputum culture only, n (%)52 (39%)8/24 (33%)11/21 (52%)6/20 (30%)
Autopsy diagnosis, n (%)6 (4%)1 (3%)*0‡5/41 (12%)‡*
Aspergillus co-infection, n (%)14 (10%)5 (13%)8 (19.5%)‡1 (2%)‡

  • *Statistically significant difference between cavitary and infiltrate forms (p<0.03).

  • †Statistically significant difference between cavitary and nodular forms (p<0.03).

  • ‡Statistically significant difference between infiltrate and nodular forms (p<0.03).

  • Description of patient characteristics according to the radiological form detected on admission is based on 125 patients (130 chest radiographs were available and 125/130 were abnormal).

  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.