INFLUENCE OF SPUTUM ANALYSIS ON TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN ATHLETES WITH RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the impact of sputum characterization on the outcomes of respiratory infection treatments, specifically focusing on oxygen therapy failure and mortality rates in athletes. Methods: Data were prospectively collected from December 8, 2022, to May 8, 2023, involving 369 athletes admitted to the acute respiratory disease units at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Athletes were assessed via a custom questionnaire, and based on the viscosity of sputum post-oxygen therapy, categorized into three groups: decreased viscosity (76 cases), unchanged viscosity (252 cases), and increased viscosity (41 cases). The primary outcomes evaluated were the rates of oxygen therapy failure and mortality across these groups. Results: Significant differences were observed among the groups with decreased, unchanged, and increased sputum viscosity. Mortality rates were 42.11%, 46.83%, and 80.49%, respectively, with p < 0.000, and oxygen therapy failure rates were 50.00%, 56.35%, and 78.05%, respectively, with p = 0.011. Notably, athletes in the increased viscosity group demonstrated a significantly higher odds ratio (OR = 4.14, p = 0.005) for mortality compared to those in the unchanged group, even after adjusting for other risk factors. Conclusions: The findings indicate that changes in sputum viscosity significantly correlate with both mortality and oxygen therapy failure rates in athletes with respiratory infections. These results underscore the importance of monitoring sputum characteristics as a critical component of managing and intervening in athletic respiratory health. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for standardized training among healthcare providers in accurately assessing and reporting sputum consistency to better inform treatment decisions and improve athlete care