Effect of combined treatment with linezolid and ulinastatin on respiratory function and serum inflammatory factors in elderly patients with severe pneumonia

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effect of linezolid in combination with ulinastatin on respiratory function and serum inflammatory factors in elderly patients with severe pneumonia. Methods: Ninety-eight (98) elderly patients with severe pneumonia in Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital (January 2019 - January 2020) were equally randomized into group M and group N. Group M patients received linezolid alone, while those in group N received linezolid in combination with ulinastatin. Indices related to respiratory function such as maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax), maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax), as well as serum inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were determined. Results: Total treatment effectiveness, pulmonary function indexes and arterial blood gas indices were higher in group N, while serum inflammatory factors and CPIS and APACHE II scores were lower, when compared with group M (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in both groups was comparable (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Combined use of linezolid and ulinastatin produces marked therapeutic effect in elderly patients with severe pneumonia. It effectively lowers serum inflammatory factor levels, elevates arterial blood gas indices and improves pulmonary function. However, further clinical trials are required prior to its introduction in clinical practice. Keywords: Severe pneumonia; Respiratory function; Serum inflammatory factor; Linezolid; Ulinastatin