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Increased mortality among elderly patients with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia
E Tacconelli1, A E Pop-Vicas, E M C D'Agata
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. etaccone@bidmc.harvard.edu
The Journal of Hospital Infection
|September 19, 2006
Summary
Elderly patients with hospital-acquired MRSA bloodstream infections (BSI) face significantly higher mortality rates. Preventing MRSA acquisition in this vulnerable population is crucial for improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are prevalent in the elderly.
- Outcomes of hospital-acquired MRSA bloodstream infections (BSI) in older adults require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of nosocomial MRSA BSI in patients aged 65 years and older versus younger patients.
- To identify risk factors associated with MRSA BSI in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in a tertiary-care teaching hospital.
- 100 hospitalized patients with S. aureus BSI were included (cases: >=65 years; controls: <65 years).
- Data collected included comorbidities, illness severity, antibiotic therapy, complications, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Overall mortality was significantly higher in elderly cases (36%) compared to younger controls (12%).
- A pulmonary source of infection was more frequent in elderly patients (34% vs 16%).
- Independent predictors of MRSA BSI in the elderly included medical ward admission, non-catheter-related BSI, and death.
Conclusions:
- MRSA BSI is associated with substantial mortality in the elderly population.
- Preventing MRSA acquisition in elderly patients is of critical importance.
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