Determinants of Mortality in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are frequently encountered, with a high mortality despite advances in health care.

Patients presenting with NSTI were prospectively followed up in an attempt to identify factors that were significantly associated with mortality.

There were a total of 86 patients [65 males (75.6%) and 21 females (24.4%)] with an overall mortality of 33.7% (29 patients). The average age was 50.37 years and trauma was the commonest aetiology (34 patients, 66.7%). The average duration of symptoms prior to presentation was 10.56 days; the lower limb was most commonly involved (62 patients, 72.09%). Fifty nine patients had comorbidities (commonest being diabetes mellitus in 41). Age above 50 years, symptoms for more than 8.5 days, involved surface area more than 15.5%, of the total body surface, on-admission pulse rate more than 99 beats/minute, systolic blood pressure less than 103 mm Hg, Glasgow scale less than 12, need for inotropes, low hemoglobin, high leukocyte counts, uraemia, deranged coagulation, low serum albumin, and high levels of lactic acid were significant for mortality. On multivariate analysis, only age above 50 years, presence of acidosis and low serum albumin significantly affected survival.

NSTI carry high mortality. The identification of potential risk factors associated with mortality might help in guiding and optimizing the management of patients who present with NSTI.