Post-discharge mortality in patients hospitalized with MRSA infection and/or colonization

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a known cause of increased in-hospital mortality.
• Limited data exists on the long-term health consequences of MRSA infection and colonization post-discharge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between MRSA infection/colonization and long-term mortality after hospital discharge.
• To identify independent risk factors for mortality in patients with MRSA.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study followed 707 patients with MRSA infection or colonization for nearly 4 years post-discharge.
• Crude and adjusted mortality rates were compared between groups.
• Independent risk factors for mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Main Results:

• The crude mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with MRSA infection and colonization (23.57/100 person-years) compared to those with colonization only (15.67/100 person-years).
• MRSA infection, recent hospitalization, cancer, and haemodialysis were independent risk factors for mortality.
• Adjusted mortality rates were nearly double for infected patients (HR 1.93-1.96) compared to colonized patients.

Conclusions:

• Surviving MRSA infection adversely impacts long-term mortality.
• Effective infection control in healthcare settings is critical to reduce long-term patient mortality.
• Further research into long-term MRSA sequelae is warranted.