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Clinical characteristics of older people and risk factors for developing multiple organ dysfunction following wasp
Xu Li1, Hong Mei Li2, Ju Long Xu3
1Department of Blood Transfusion, Suining Central Hospital, No. 27 of Dong Ping North Road, He Dong New District, Suining, 629000, Sichuan Province, China. 18081733147@163.com.
Purpose:
To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with short-term multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) in older people suffering from wasp stings.
Methods:
The study assessed the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients aged > 65 years old suffering from wasp stings. The patients were categorized into the non-MODS and MODS groups based on the occurrence of MODS, and their clinical data were then compared. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with the development of MODS in older people with wasp stings.
Results:
A total of 118 patients with complete clinical data were assigned to two groups: non-MODS (n = 69) and MODS (n = 49). The mean age of the subjects was 68.3 ± 5.3 years, and the ratio of male/female was 54/64. Significant differences between the two groups were observed in age, pre-hospital time, and the proportion of patients receiving advanced life support therapy (p < 0.05). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was determined to be the most common complication, occurring in 20 (17.0%) patients overall (MODS vs. non-MODS: 32.7% vs.5.8%, p < 0.001), followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which occurred in 18 (15.3%) patients (MODS vs. non-MODS: 30.6% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001), with significant differences recorded between the groups. Logistic regression analysis indicated that advanced age, a greater number of stings, longer pre-hospital time, and the occurrence of AKI and ARDS acted as independent risk factors for MODS.
Conclusion:
Older people stung by wasps have a high incidence of MODS. ARDS and AKI are the key complications associated with MODS. Clinicians should therefore use the following five indicators: age, number of stings, pre-hospital time, and the occurrence of AKI and ARDS to rapidly assess the risk and implement targeted intensive treatment focused on early respiratory support and active blood purification in high-risk older people for improving the prognosis.
Insights
Older adults stung by wasps face a high risk of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Advanced age, sting severity, and complications like acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are key risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Geriatrics
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Wasp stings can lead to severe systemic reactions.
- Older adults are a vulnerable population susceptible to adverse outcomes from envenomation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical features and risk factors for short-term multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in elderly individuals following wasp stings.
- To identify predictors of MODS in this specific demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from patients aged over 65 who experienced wasp stings.
- Comparison of clinical data between patients who developed MODS and those who did not.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for MODS.
Main Results:
- 118 patients were analyzed; 49 developed MODS.
- Significant differences between MODS and non-MODS groups included age, pre-hospital time, and need for advanced life support.
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were the most frequent complications, significantly higher in the MODS group.
- Independent risk factors for MODS were advanced age, number of stings, prolonged pre-hospital time, and the presence of AKI and ARDS.
Conclusions:
- Older adults are at high risk for MODS after wasp stings.
- AKI and ARDS are critical complications associated with MODS in this population.
- Clinicians should utilize age, sting burden, pre-hospital duration, AKI, and ARDS to assess risk and guide early, targeted interventions for improved outcomes.
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