Risk Factors and Mortality Outcomes in Elderly Patients With Bloodstream Infections: A Retrospective Analysis

Background The objective of our investigation was to evaluate the mortality rate and predictor factors that are associated with bloodstream infections (BSIs) in elderly patients who are admitted to the internal medicine ward. Materials and methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted at a 550-bed tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 2021 to June 2022. The study involved elderly inpatients aged 65 and older with positive culture results detected within two days of admission. Data collection involved demographic and patient-related risk variables, BSI-related risk factors, and environmental risk factors, with statistical analysis performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 26.0, Armonk, NY). Results Of the total study sample (n=186), 103 (55.4%) survived while 83 (44.6%) did not. The non-survivor group had a higher median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (6 vs. 2, p<0.0001) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (5 ± 2 vs. 3 ± 2, p<0.0001), with more frequent immunosuppression (25.3% vs. 8.7%, p=0.001). Additionally, gram-positive bacteria were more common in non-survivors (42% vs. 10%, p<0.0001), while gram-negative bacteria were more prevalent in survivors (73% vs. 36%, p=0.002). Conclusions Our research validates that BSI in older adults is a serious condition that is linked to a substantial death rate during hospitalization. The biggest determinant of death in older patients with BSI is the severity of clinical symptoms evaluated by the SOFA score upon admission. It is imperative to acknowledge that respiratory-induced BSIs are the most fatal, and patients who are hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are at an elevated risk.