Pneumonia is a common infectious disease of the lung, often requiring treatment in the hospital. Clinical scoring systems are available, identifying patients not requiring hospitalization. However, the course of disease of patients in the hospital remains hard to predict. While most patients will recover quickly, some will, despite appropriate treatment, develop a severe course leading to sepsis and systemic responses resulting in organ dysfunction. The PROGRESS study aims to identify clinical, genetic, and other molecular markers and combinations thereof predicting a severe course of pneumonia in the hospital. Such predictors will, for instance, support decisions on earlier transfer of patients to intensive care and thus improving outcome.

Pneumonia is a common infectious disease of the lung, often requiring treatment in the hospital. Clinical scoring systems are available, identifying patients not requiring hospitalization. However, the course of disease of patients in the hospital remains hard to predict. While most patients will recover quickly, some will, despite appropriate treatment, develop a severe course leading to sepsis and systemic responses resulting in organ dysfunction. The PROGRESS study aims to identify clinical, genetic and other molecular markers and combinations thereof predicting a severe course of pneumonia in the hospital. Such predictors will, for instance, support decisions on earlier transfer of patients to intensive care and thus improving outcome.

The PROGRESS study was initially approved by the ethics board of the University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany (2403-10/08, November 6th, 2008) and subsequently by the ethics committees of all recruiting study centers.

In this observational, longitudinal case-cohort study, patients are enrolled within 48 hours of hospitalization and patient's progress is followed in much detail for up to six days thereafter. Further data are collected until discharge from the hospital. Patients are followed up on at days 28, 180, and 360 after enrollment.

Baseline assessment comprises sociodemographic, anamnestic, family history, and live style information. Upon enrollment, Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 are determined. For the day of enrollment and up to six subsequent study days routine laboratory and clinical observations and information on therapy are documented as well as data for determining the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) status, and organ dysfunction. Starting with enrollment, up to six consecutive sets of biomaterials are collected comprising serum, plasma, and materials for extraction of RNA. Blood for extraction of DNA is collected once.

Follow up comprises vital status, housing situation, recurrence of pneumonia, and a quality of life questionnaire.

Analysis of cross sectional and time series data will identify clinical, genetic, and other molecular markers predicting a severe course of pneumonia in the hospital. Analysis of multilevel 'omics data in conjunction with clinical data will provide new insights into pathomechanistic details of pneumonia progression.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Hospitalization with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) confirmed by pulmonary infiltrate in chest radiograph

2. Working diagnosis of CAP by enrolling physician

3. Adult patient >= 18 years of age

4. Valid informed consent form

5. At least 2 out of the five following clinical symptoms:

   • Fever
   • Cough
   • Purulent sputum
   • Shortness of breath or need for respiratory support
   • Crackling or rales on auscultation, dullness to percussion, or bronchial breathing

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in this study at an earlier time
2. Hospitalization for any reason within 28 days prior to hospitalization for the current episode of CAP
3. More than 48 hours in the hospital before enrollment
4. Pregnancy
5. Breastfeeding
6. Decision on limitation of therapy before enrollment
7. Known HIV infection or AIDS
8. Anti-tumor treatment within the past six months
9. Post-stenotic pneumonia in conjunction with bronchial carcinoma
10. Therapy with corticosteroids ≥ 20mg for ≥ 14 days before enrollment
11. Non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapy within the past six months
12. Cytostatic therapy within the past six months
13. Radiation therapy within the past six months
14. Bone marrow transplant received
15. Respiratory support at home via tracheostoma
16. Cystic fibrosis
17. Active tuberculosis
18. Acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome for extrapulmonary reasons
19. Massive aspiration
20. Sepsis with extrapulmonary focus
21. Acute pulmonary embolism
22. Congestive heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) IV stadium
23. Liver insufficiency Child-Pugh C stadium

Adult patients hospitalized for treatment of community acquired pneumonia. Patients can be enrolled in general care, intensive care, and in emergency departments.

Anonymized individual participant data will be made available after conclusion of the study. Participants can apply for clinical and molecular study data by sending structured project proposals to the PROGRESS board. The PROGRESS board will evaluate proposals for scientific quality, adherence to the limits set by patient's informed consent statements and by intellectual property regulations of the funding agency. Proposals shall not be denied without concrete reason.