Incidence of Invasive and Noninvasive Pneumococcal Pneumonia Hospitalizations in People Aged 50 Years: Assessing Variability Across Denmark and Spain

Determining pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) burden in the elderly population is challenging due to limited data on invasive PP (IPP) and, in particular, noninvasive PP (NIPP) incidence. Using retrospective cohorts of adults aged >= 50 years in Denmark (2 782 303) and the Valencia region, Spain (2 283 344), we found higher IPP hospitalization rates in Denmark than Valencia (18.3 vs 9/100 000 person-years [PY], respectively). Conversely, NIPP hospitalization rates were higher in Valencia (48.2 vs 7.2/100 000 PY). IPP and NIPP rates increased with age and comorbidities in both regions, with variations by sex and case characteristics (eg, complications, mortality). The burden of PP in adults is substantial, yet its true magnitude remains elusive. Discrepancies in clinical practices impede international comparisons; for instance, Valencia employed a higher frequency of urinary antigen tests compared to Denmark. Additionally, coding practices and prehospital antibiotic utilization may further influence these variations. These findings could guide policymakers and enhance the understanding of international disparities in disease burden assessments. The burden of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) requiring hospitalization among older adults in Europe remains considerable. Estimates of invasive and noninvasive PP incidence among European countries vary between 2 and 6 times. Country-specific clinical practice hampers comparability of pneumonia in Europe.