A clinical index predicting mortality with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia

The aim of this study was to define risk factors associated with mortality in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bactaeremia and to combine them in a clinical index predicting the risk of death. The study investigated 125 consecutive episodes of P. aeruginosa bacteraemia at this hospital. Crude mortality was 34%, corresponding to 43 patients who died, with 67% of deaths, directly attributable to bacteraemia. A regression logistic model identified five variables that were independently and significantly associated with an increased risk of death: 1) hospitalisation in the intensive care unit; 2) coagulopathy; 3) septic shock; 4) age > or = 65 years; and 5) the clinical condition of the patient. These variables were as recorded at the time that the first positive blood culture was obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of a prediction of death based on the model were 84% and 85%, respectively. An index score, calculated from these variables, divided patients into three groups with increasing likelihood of mortality resulting from P. aeruginosa bacteraemia.