Table 2 Clinical characteristics of the 80 patients with pneumococcal meningitis and 69 controls in the follow up study
| Characteristics |
Patients (n = 80) n/N (%) |
Controls (n = 69) n/N (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 39/80 (49%) | 35/69 (51%) |
| Age in years* | 63 (56–69) | 65 (54–68) |
| Predisposing conditions before admission | ||
|
Duration of symptoms < 24 h Sinusitis/otitis media Pneumonia Immunocompromised state |
35/79 (44%) 44/79 (55%) 10/78 (13%) 16/80 (20%) | |
| Clinical characteristics on admission | ||
|
Classic triad Coma Focal neurologic deficits |
35/76 (44%) 4/80 (5%) 18/79 (23%) | |
| Laboratory characteristics on admission* | ||
|
Blood leukocyte count (× 10^9 cells/L) CSF leukocyte count (× 10^6 cells/L) |
17.5 (13.3–23.6) 3492 (1298–7805) | |
| Standard dose of dexamethasone therapy | 69/80 (86%) | |
| Clinical course/complications | ||
|
Seizures Circulatory shock Intensive care admission Cerebral infarction |
12/76 (15%) 1/73 (1%) 26/77 (33%) 7/69 (9%) | |
| Outcome at discharge | ||
|
GOS 3 GOS 4 GOS 5 |
2/80 (3%) 17/80 (21%) 61/80 (76%) | |
| Years from discharge to testing* | 2.5 (1.1—4.6) | |