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The main characteristics in community acquired pneumonia Aim: To evaluate the main characteristics of adult inpatients with community acquired pneumonia Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the medical records completed between 1 January-31 December2004. The study group was composed of 333 patients with community-acquired pneumonia, 61.6% male. The average age was 56.5±16.9 years. The risk-class was estimated calculating the Fine score. Results: In study group we found that 6.3% were in class V, 27.6% in class IV, 22.8%in class III, 24.6% in II and18.6% in class I respectively. The general mortality was 3%, 23.8% in class V. An important aspect of the group was their socio-economic status. About 67% of patients had income under 70 euros. An intriguing finding is a relatively high number of patients with blood urea nitrogen over 30 mg/dL. Hepatic disorders were the most frequent among co-morbid illnesses (this could be partially explained by alcohol abuse, 18.3% patients used more than 21 units/week). Conclusion: There were a high number of low risk patients (I and II risk class) admitted. This situation is explained by low income of the patients. Only 8 out of 21 patients in risk class V were admitted to Intensive Therapy Unit. Despite this class V mortality was 23.8% comparable with anterior studies.