Pneumonia in adults: Clinical aspects, hospitalization profile, and evidence on the role of physical therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i8.1280Keywords:
Pneumonia; Adult; Hospitalization; Epidemiology; Physical Therapy Modalities.Abstract
Introduction: Pneumonia in adults is a significant public health issue associated with high morbidity, hospitalizations, and an impact on healthcare services. Beyond epidemiological aspects, understanding the inflammatory response and complementary therapeutic interventions—such as respiratory physiotherapy—is relevant for improving the quality of care. Objective: To analyze, through an integrative literature review, the clinical aspects of pneumonia in adults, the profile of hospitalizations related to the disease, and the available evidence regarding the role of respiratory physiotherapy in the care and treatment of these patients. Methods: This is a qualitative, descriptive, integrative review conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and BVS databases. A total of 245 records were identified, 35 of which were excluded due to duplication. After screening and eligibility assessment, eight studies comprised the final sample. Results: Studies demonstrated a systemic and pulmonary inflammatory response associated with pneumonia, as well as a significant hospitalization burden, with variations based on age group, geographic region, and the period analyzed. Changes in hospitalization patterns between the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods were also identified. Regarding respiratory physiotherapy, findings from a Cochrane systematic review suggest possible effects on the length of hospital stay, duration of fever, intensive care unit stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. However, the certainty of the evidence was rated as very low, limiting confidence in the observed effects. Conclusion: Pneumonia continues to have a significant clinical and hospital-related impact on the adult population. Respiratory physiotherapy may be part of the management of selected patients, although more robust studies are needed to determine its effectiveness and establish standardized care protocols.
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