Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients at ICU admission. Risk factors of developing one VAP (univariate analysis, Fine–Gray model considering death and extubation as competing risk events)

Baseline and demographic

Mean age (± SD)—years

63.9 (± 11.4)

62.5 (± 12.9)

65.3 (± 9.5)

1.01 [0.99–1.03], p = 0.170

Male—no. (%)

147 (78.2)

67 (69.8)

80 (87)

2.12 [1.14–3.96], p = 0.018

Obesity—no./total no. (%)

69/182 (37.9)

40/92 (43.5)

29/90 (32.2)

0.67 [0.40–1.12], p = 0.130

Hypertension—no. (%)

90 (47.9)

47 (49)

43 (46.7)

0.95 [0.64–1.43], p = 0.820

Diabetes—no. (%)

50 (26.6)

25 (26)

25 (27.2)

0.96 [0.62–1.49], p = 0.860

Current smoker—no. (%)

10 (5.6)

7 (7.3)

3 (3.3)

-

Asthma—no. (%)

13 (6.9)

6 (6.2)

7 (7.6)

Known respiratory disease

1.39 [0.81, 2.41], p = 0.240

COPD—no. (%)

6 (3.2)

1 (1)

5 (5.4)

OSAS—no. (%)

9 (4.8)

5 (5.2)

4 (4.3)

Pulmonary emphysema—no. (%)

4 (2.1)

-

4 (4.3)

Interstitial lung disease—no. (%)

3 (1.6)

1 (1)

2 (2.2)

Cirrhosis—no. (%)

3 (1.6)

2 (2.1)

1 (1.1)

-

Chronic kidney failure—no. (%)

8 (4.3)

6 (6.2)

2 (2.2)

-

Chronic heart failure—no. (%)

13 (6.9)

8 (8.3)

5 (5.4)

-

Cancer—no. (%)

11 (5.9)

5 (5.2)

6 (6.5)

-

Hematologic malignancies—no. (%)

5 (2.7)

4 (4.2)

1 (1.1)

Immunocompromised status

0.68 [0.32, 1.43], p = 0.310

HIV infection—no. (%)

4 (2.1)

2 (2.1)

2 (2.2)

Immunosuppressive therapy—no. (%)

7 (3.7)

3 (3.1)

4 (4.3)

Long-term corticosteroid therapy—no. (%)

3 (1.6)

2 (2.1)

1 (1.1)

On arrival in the ICU

Mean SAPS II (± SD)

41 (± 13.5)

41.1 (± 13.8)

40.9 (± 13.3)

1.00 [0.98–1.01], p = 0.700

Mean SOFA (± SD)

5.8 (± 2.7)

5.8 (± 2.7)

5.7 (± 2.7)

1.00 [0.92–1.09], p = 0.960

Mean PaO2/FiO2 (± SD)—mmHg

150 (± 63.4)

150 (± 63.6)

150 (± 63.6)

1.00 [1.00–1.00], p = 0.850