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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Is Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization Associated with Worse Outcomes in COPD Hospitalizations?
Erin R Narewski1, Victor Kim1, Nathaniel Marchetti1
1Temple University Hospital, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Background:
Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, its effect on the course of COPD hospitalization remains unknown.
Methods:
Records of 160 patients hospitalized at our institution January 1, 2008 to May 1, 2010 with acute exacerbations of COPD who were screened for MRSA were examined and outcomes from their hospitalizations were quantified.
Results:
Of the 160 patients, 33 (20.6%) were MRSA colonized on screening. These patients had similar demographics, spirometry, Charlson Indexes, and APACHE-II scores when compared to patients who were not MRSA colonized (n=127), but MRSA colonized patients had more hospitalizations within the 2 years prior to admission (2 [1-4.8] versus 1 [0-3], p = 0.03). While hospitalized, MRSA colonized patients had a longer length of stay (9 [5.3-15.5] versus 5 [3-7.8] days, p = 0.01) and more antibiotic days (7 [5-10.8] versus 5 [0-7] days, p = 0.01). They were also more likely to receive intensive care (51.5% versus 23.6%, p = 0.01) and to develop respiratory failure that required noninvasive ventilation (56.3% versus 38.2%, p = 0.05). Trends towards increased use of invasive mechanical ventilation and readmission within 30 days were also present.
Conclusions:
COPD patients colonized with MRSA have longer hospitalizations, require longer courses of antibiotics, and are more likely to require intensive care.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients leads to longer hospital stays, increased antibiotic use, and higher intensive care unit admission rates.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization is prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- The impact of MRSA colonization on COPD hospitalization outcomes was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MRSA colonization and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of COPD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 160 patients hospitalized with acute COPD exacerbations.
- Screening for MRSA colonization and quantification of hospitalization outcomes.
Main Results:
- MRSA-colonized patients (20.6%) had more prior hospitalizations (p=0.03).
- MRSA colonization was linked to longer hospital stays (p=0.01), increased antibiotic days (p=0.01), and higher intensive care unit admission (p=0.01).
- Increased need for ventilation and 30-day readmission showed trends in MRSA-colonized patients.
Conclusions:
- MRSA colonization in COPD patients is associated with adverse hospitalization outcomes.
- These outcomes include prolonged hospital stays, extended antibiotic treatment, and greater need for intensive care.
- Findings highlight the clinical significance of MRSA screening in COPD patients.
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