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Pyogenic liver abscesses: mortality-related factors
José Juan Ruiz-Hernández1, Magdalena León-Mazorra, Alicia Conde-Martel
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Gran Canaria Dr Negrín, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|September 18, 2007
Summary
Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Sepsis and/or septic shock are identified as the primary independent risk factor for mortality in PLA patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare but life-threatening infection.
- Factors contributing to mortality in PLA patients require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with PLA.
- To identify factors associated with complications and mortality in PLA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 84 patients hospitalized with PLA between 1992 and 2005.
- Data collected included medical history, clinical presentation, laboratory values, imaging, microbiology, treatment, complications, and mortality.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors for complications and mortality.
Main Results:
- The most common bacterial isolates were Streptococcus spp. (40.5%) and Escherichia coli (27.4%).
- Complications occurred in 60.7% of cases, with right pleural effusion being the most frequent.
- The overall mortality rate was 19%, significantly associated with age, coronary heart disease, absence of fever, sepsis/septic shock, elevated bilirubin, biliary/cryptogenetic origin, E. coli/Candida infection, and pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Pyogenic liver abscess carries a substantial mortality risk.
- Sepsis and/or septic shock emerged as the principal independent risk factor for mortality in PLA patients.
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