Mortality predictors of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a prospective multicenter study

Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the cohort (N = 255)

Variable	Number	Percent
Age >65 years	93	36.5
Comorbid diseases
Diabetes mellitus	63	24.7
Chronic renal failure	56	22.0
Previous surgery	54	21.2
Malignant diseases	53	20.8
Skin disorder	51	20.0
Immunosuppressive therapy in last 3 months^a	32	12.6
Burns	28	11.0
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	11	4.1
Congestive heart failure	11	4.1
Cerebrovascular event	10	3.9
Others^b	50	19.6
Clinical findings
Fever (≥38 °C)	230	910
Tachycardia (>100 beats/min)	191	74.9
Tachypnea (>20 breaths/min)	147	57.7
Hypotension (arterial tension <90 mmHg)	91	35.7
Altered consciousness^c	41	16.1
Coexistent factors
Peripheral venous catheter	165	64.7
Central venous catheter	130	51.0
Intensive care unit admission	107	42.0
Prior antibiotic use^d	101	39.6
Mechanical ventilation	80	31.4
Prior hospitalization	78	30.6
Endotracheal tube	73	28.63
Tracheostomy	41	16.1
Prior cardio-pulmonary resuscitation	28	11.0
Laboratory findings
Leukocytosis (WBC count >10,000/mm³)	180	70.6
Thrombocytopenia (platelet <150,000/mm³)	93	36.5
Leukopenia (WBC <4000/mm³)	26	10.2

WBC white blood cells
^aCancer chemotherapy, steroid treatment and others
^bCirrhosis, 9; Chronic alcoholism, 9; Connective tissue disorder, 6; Resident of elderly care center, 6; Alzheimer’s disease, 6; intravenous drug user, 2; Renal transplantation, 1
^cDrowsiness and coma diagnosed by a physician
^dA month prior to detection of S. aureus bacteremia

ISSN: 1476-0711