Occurrence and outcomes of sepsis: influence of race

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate premorbid conditions and sociodemographic characteristics associated with differences in hospitalization and mortality rates of sepsis in blacks and whites. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of the publicly available New Jersey State Inpatient Database for 2002. SETTING: Acute care hospitals in New Jersey. PATIENTS: All black and white adult patients with sepsis hospitalized in 2002. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 5,466 black and 19,373 white adult patients with sepsis were identified with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for septicemia. Blacks were significantly younger than whites (61.6 +/- 0.25 and 72.8 +/- 0.11 yrs, respectively, p < .0001). Blacks had greater hospitalization rates than whites, with the greatest disparity between the ages of 35 and 44 yrs (relative risk, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 3.93-4.82). Compared with whites, blacks had higher age-adjusted rates for hospitalization and mortality but similar case fatality rates. They were more likely than whites to be admitted to the hospital through the emergency room (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-1.50) and to the intensive care unit (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.21), and they were 3.96 times (95% confidence interval, 3.44-4.56) more likely to be uninsured. Black patients with sepsis had a greater likelihood of human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes, obesity, burns, and chronic renal failure than white patients and had a smaller likelihood of cancer, trauma, and urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, age-adjusted case fatality rates for hospitalized white and black patients with sepsis were similar. These data are not suggestive of systematic disparities in the quality of treatment of sepsis between blacks and whites. However, blacks had higher rates of hospitalization and population-based mortality for sepsis. We speculate that disparities in disease prevention and care of preexisting conditions before sepsis onset may explain these differences.     

Incidence and prognosis of intraabdominal hypertension in a mixed population of critically ill patients: a multiple-center epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE: Intraabdominal hypertension is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in surgical and trauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess, in a mixed population of critically ill patients, whether intraabdominal pressure at admission was an independent predictor for mortality and to evaluate the effects of intraabdominal hypertension on organ functions. DESIGN: Multiple-center, prospective epidemiologic study. SETTING: Fourteen intensive care units in six countries. PATIENTS: A total of 265 consecutive patients admitted for >24 hrs during the 4-wk study period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intraabdominal pressure was measured twice daily via the bladder. Data recorded on admission were the patient demographics with Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and type of admission; during intensive care stay, Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment score and intraabdominal pressure were measured daily together with fluid balance. Nonsurvivors had a significantly higher mean intraabdominal pressure on admission than survivors: 11.4 +/- 4.8 vs. 9.5 +/- 4.8 mm Hg. Independent predictors for mortality were age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.06; p = .003), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.15; p < .0001), type of intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 2.5 medical vs. surgical; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-5.16; p = .01), and the presence of liver dysfunction (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-5.8; p = .04). The occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was also an independent predictor of mortality (relative risk, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.06; p = .01). Patients with intraabdominal hypertension at admission had significantly higher Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment scores during the intensive care unit stay than patients without intraabdominal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Intraabdominal hypertension on admission was associated with severe organ dysfunction during the intensive care unit stay. The mean intraabdominal pressure on admission was not an independent risk factor for mortality; however, the occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was an independent outcome predictor.     

Prognostic factors,clinical course,and hospital outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE: To describe prognostic factors, clinical course, and hospital outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure. DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: A multidisciplinary intensive care unit of an inner-city university hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure from August 1995 through July 1998. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were obtained concerning demographics, arterial blood gas, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, sepsis, mechanical ventilation, organ failure, complications, and hospital mortality rate. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, 63% white, and 36% African-American; the mean age was 63.1 +/- 8.9 yrs. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation was tried in 40% of patients and was successful in 54% of them. Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 61% of the 250 admissions. Sepsis developed in 31% of patients, nonpulmonary organ failure in 20%, pneumothorax in 3%, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in 2%. Multiple organ failure developed in 31% of patients with sepsis compared with 3% without sepsis (p <.0001). Predicted and observed hospital mortality rates were 30% and 15%, respectively. Differences in age and arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions between survivors and nonsurvivors were not significant. Arterial pH was lower in nonsurvivors than in survivors (7.21 vs. 7.25, p =.0408). The APACHE II-predicted mortality rate (p =.0001; odds ratio, 1.046; 95% confidence interval, 1.022-1.070) and number of organ failures (p <.0001; odds ratio, 5.524; 95% confidence interval, 3.041-10.031) were independent predictors of hospital outcome; invasive mechanical ventilation was not an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Physiologic abnormalities at admission to an intensive care unit and development of nonrespiratory organ failure are important predictors of hospital outcome for critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have acute respiratory failure. Improved outcome would require prevention and appropriate treatment of sepsis and multiple organ failure.     

The role of infection and comorbidity: Factors that influence disparities in sepsis

OBJECTIVE: Large healthcare disparities exist in the incidence of sepsis based on both race and gender. We sought to determine factors that may influence the occurrence of these healthcare disparities, with respect to the source of infection, causal organisms, and chronic comorbid medical conditions. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: U.S. acute care hospitals from 1979 to 2003. PATIENTS: Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of sepsis were identified from the National Hospital Discharge Survey per codes of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9CM). Chronic comorbid medical conditions and the source and type of infection were characterized by corresponding ICD-9CM diagnoses. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sepsis incidence rates are mean cases per 100,000 after age adjustment to the 2000 U.S. Census. Males and nonwhite races were confirmed at increased risk for sepsis. Both proportional source distribution and incidence rates favored respiratory sources of sepsis in males (36% vs. 29%, p < .01) and genitourinary sources in females (35% vs. 27%, p < .01). Incidence rates for all common sources of sepsis were greater in nonwhite races, but proportional source distribution was approximately equal. After stratification by the source of infection, males (proportionate ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.29) and black persons (proportionate ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.32) remained more likely to have Gram-positive infections. Chronic comorbid conditions that alter immune function (chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, HIV, alcohol abuse) were more common in nonwhite sepsis patients, and cumulative comorbidities were associated with greater acute organ dysfunction. Compared with white sepsis patients, nonwhite sepsis patients had longer hospital length of stay (2.0 days, 95% confidence interval 1.9-2.1) and were less likely to be discharged to another medical facility (30% whites, 25% blacks, 18% other races). Case-fatality rates were not significantly different across racial and gender groups. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare disparities exist in the incidence of sepsis within all major sources of infection, and males and blacks have greater frequency of Gram-positive infections independent of the infection source. The differential distribution of specific chronic comorbid medical conditions may contribute to these disparities. Large cohort and administrative studies are required to confirm discrete root causes of sepsis disparities.     

Risk factors for hospitalization among community-dwelling primary care older patients: development and validation of a predictive model

BACKGROUND: Unplanned hospitalization often represents a costly and hazardous event for the older population. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a predictive model for unplanned medical hospitalization from administrative data. RESEARCH DESIGN: Model development and validation. SUBJECTS: A total of 3919 patients aged > or =70 years who were followed for at least 1 year in primary care clinics of an academic medical center. MEASURES: Risk factor data and the primary outcome of unplanned medical hospitalization were obtained from administrative data. RESULTS: Of 1932 patients in the development cohort, 299 (15%) were hospitalized during 1 year follow up. Five independent risk factors were identified in the preceding year: Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score > or =2 [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-2.2], any prior hospitalization (RR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.3), 6 or more primary care visits (RR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0), age > or =85 years (RR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7), and unmarried status (RR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7). A risk stratification system was created by adding 1 point for each factor present. Rates of hospitalization for the low- (0 factor), intermediate- (1-2 factors), and high-risk (> or =3 factors) groups were 5%, 15%, and 34% (P < 0.0001). The corresponding rates in the validation cohort, where 328/1987 (17%) were hospitalized, were 6%, 16%, and 36% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A predictive model based on administrative data has been successfully validated for prediction of unplanned hospitalization. This model will identify patients at high risk for hospitalization who may be candidates for preventive interventions.     

Characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients requiring mechanical ventilatory support for >24 hrs

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a large cohort of cancer patients receiving mechanical ventilation for >24 hrs and to identify clinical features predictive of in-hospital death. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten-bed oncologic medical-surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: A total of 463 consecutive patients were included over a 45-month period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were collected on the day of admission to the intensive care unit. The intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were 50% and 64%, respectively. There were 359 (78%) patients with solid tumors and 104 (22%) with hematologic malignancies; 35 (8%) patients had leukopenia. Sepsis (63%), coma (15%), invasion or compression by tumor (11%), pulmonary embolism (7%), and cardiopulmonary arrest (6%) were the main reasons for mechanical ventilation. The independent unfavorable risk factors for mortality were older age (odds ratio, 3.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.61-5.93, for patients 40-70 yrs old, and odds ratio, 9.26; 95% confidence interval, 4.16-20.58, for patients >70 yrs old); performance status 3-4 (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-4.51); cancer recurrence/progression (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.81-6.53); Pao2/Fio2 ratio <150 (odds ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-4.99); Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (excluding respiratory domain, each 4 points; odds ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.70-3.24); and airway/pulmonary invasion or compression by tumor as a reason for mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 5.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.92-17.08). CONCLUSIONS: Severity of acute organ failures, poor performance status, cancer status, and older age were the main determinants of mortality. The appropriate use of such easily available clinical characteristics may avoid forgoing intensive care for patients with a chance of survival.     

Six-year mortality and quality of life in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE: To study the mortality and quality of life (QOL) of survivors at 6 yrs after intensive care unit (ICU) admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: Prospective, multiple-center cohort study. SETTING: A total of 86 ICUs throughout Spain. PATIENTS: Patients in the Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients (PAEEC) project with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The sample comprised 742 patients; 508 of them were admitted for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 379 of these required intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. The mean age of the patients was 65.2 +/- 9.89 yrs, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score was 66.6 +/- 21.04; preadmission QOL questionnaire score was 7 +/- 4.82 points, and hospital mortality was 31.8%. At 6 yrs, 32.2% had died after hospital discharge, 21.6% could not be traced, and 107 patients were alive (18.3% of the 582 followed-up patients). QOL of survivors was worse than preadmission (6.55 +/- 5.6 vs. 4.92 +/- 4.5 points, p < .05), but 72% of patients were self-sufficient. Among the 379 patients admitted to the ICU for acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and requiring intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, 36.7% died in the hospital; at 6 yrs after hospital discharge, 31.4% had died, 18.7% could not be traced, and 50 patients (16.2% of followed-up patients) were alive. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression showed that the mortality at 6 yrs was related to age (odds ratio, 1.046; 95% confidence interval, 1.023-1.071), APACHE III score (odds ratio, 1.013; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-1.024), and preadmission QOL score (odds ratio, 1.139; 95% confidence interval, 1.078-1.204). CONCLUSION: The 6-yr mortality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring ICU admission is high. Mortality is mainly influenced by pre-ICU admission QOL. At 6 yrs, at least 15% are alive; survivors have a worse QOL compared with pre-ICU admission, although three quarters of them are self-sufficient.     

Procalcitonin as a diagnostic test for sepsis in critically ill adults and after surgery or trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the accuracy of serum procalcitonin as a diagnostic test for sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock in adults in intensive care units or after surgery or trauma, alone and compared with C-reactive protein. To draw and compare the summary receiver operating characteristics curves for procalcitonin and C-reactive protein from the literature. DATA SOURCE: MEDLINE (keywords: procalcitonin, intensive care, sepsis, postoperative sepsis, trauma); screening of the literature. STUDY SELECTION: Meta-analysis of all 49 published studies in medical, surgical, or polyvalent intensive care units or postoperative wards. Children, medical patients, and immunocompromised patients were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Thirty-three studies fulfilled inclusion criteria (3,943 patients, 1,828 males, 922 females; mean age: 56.1 yrs; 1,825 patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock; 1,545 with only systemic inflammatory response syndrome); eight studies could not be analyzed statistically. Global mortality rate was 29.3%. DATA SYNTHESIS: Global odds ratios for diagnosis of infection complicated by systemic inflammation were 15.7 for the 25 studies (2,966 patients) using procalcitonin (95% confidence interval, 9.1-27.1) and 5.4 for the 15 studies (1,322 patients) using C-reactive protein (95% confidence interval, 3.2-9.2). The summary receiver operating characteristics curve for procalcitonin was better than for C-reactive protein. In the 15 studies using both markers, the Q* value (intersection of summary receiver operating characteristics curve with the diagonal line where sensitivity equals specificity) was significantly higher for procalcitonin than for C-reactive protein (0.78 vs. 0.71, p = .02), the former test showing better accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin represents a good biological diagnostic marker for sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock, difficult diagnoses in critically ill patients. Procalcitonin is superior to C-reactive protein. Procalcitonin should be included in diagnostic guidelines for sepsis and in clinical practice in intensive care units.     

Facing the challenge: decreasing case fatality rates in severe sepsis despite increasing hospitalizations

OBJECTIVE: To determine recent trends in severe sepsis-related rates of hospitalization, mortality, and hospital case fatality in a large geographic area and to determine the impact of age, race, and gender on these outcomes. DESIGN: Trend analysis for the period of 1995 to 2002. SETTING: Acute care hospitals in New Jersey. PATIENTS: Subjects > or = 18 yrs of age with severe sepsis who were hospitalized in New Jersey during the period of 1995 to 2002. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed data from the 1995-2002 New Jersey State Inpatient Databases (SID) developed as part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), covering all acute care hospitals in the state. On the basis of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for septicemia and organ dysfunction, we identified 87,675 patients with severe sepsis. The percentage of patients with severe sepsis among all hospitalized patients with sepsis grew steadily, from 32.7% to 44.7% (p < .0001), during these years. The crude rate of hospitalization with severe sepsis increased 54.2%, from 135.0/100,000 population in 1995 to 208.2/100,000 population in 2002 (p < .0001). Over time, the crude mortality rate rose by 35.8% (p < .0001), whereas the crude case fatality rate (number of deaths/number of cases) fell from 51.0% to 45.0% (p < .0001). For any given year, the rates of hospitalization and mortality were greater among older patients. After adjustment by age, the rates among blacks were greater than among whites, and they were greater among males than females. At the same time, there was no significant difference in the age-adjusted hospital case fatality rates with regard to gender and race. There was a significant increase in age-adjusted gender- and race-specific rates for hospitalization and mortality from 1995 to 2002. Blacks were more likely than whites to be admitted to the intensive care unit: for males, odds ratio = 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.26), and for females, odds ratio = 1.35 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.42). However, although case fatality rate was increased among patients admitted to the intensive care unit, this was not reflected in an increased case fatality among blacks. In addition, age-adjusted gender- and race-specific case fatality rates declined during 1995-2002. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of increasing rates of hospitalization and mortality, there is a decreasing case fatality rate for severe sepsis. These data suggest that advances in critical care practice before and during the study period have resulted in improved outcomes for this population.     

他汀类药物对中国老年脓毒症患者住院期间病死率的影响

目的探讨他汀类药物对中国老年脓毒症患者住院病死率的影响。 方法对212例2009年3月至2012年3月在浙江大学医学院附属第一医院老年科住院的老年脓毒症患者进行研究。以出院为观察终点,将患者分为死亡组和存活组。采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析,以确定应用他汀类药物是否为住院期间病死率的的独立影响因素。 结果存活组使用他汀类药物的患者比例高于死亡组[13.9%（5/36）vs. 34.7%（61/176）,χ² = 6.014,P = 0.014],调整后的比值比（OR）有统计学意义（OR：0.17;95%CI：0.04 ~ 0.85;P = 0.03）。 结论他汀类药物的使用可能可以降低中国老年脓毒症患者住院期间的病死率。     

The epidemiology of critical illness in the elderly

A substantial proportion of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are elderly patients. Based upon population growth, patient preference, and current physician practice, the number of elderly patients who receive critical care services is likely to increase substantially over the next 10 to 20 years. Numerous studies have shown that survival from critical illness is lower in elderly patients; however, after adjusting for factors such as illness severity, comorbid diseases, and functional status, chronologic age accounts for very little explanatory power for survival from critical illness. Elderly survivors of critical illness often have significant functional limitations, but their perceived quality of life is usually better than that of younger survivors of critical illness. Elderly patients frequently receive less aggressive care in the ICU and probably consume a lower relative proportion of ICU resources than younger patients. However, this does not necessarily result in worse outcomes.     

Health-related quality of life of patients with multiple organ dysfunction: individual changes and comparison with normative population

OBJECTIVE: To determine health-related quality of life in medical intensive care patients with multiple organ dysfunction. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: A 12-bed, noncoronary, medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Between June 1998 and May 1999, 318 consecutively admitted adult patients with an intensive care unit stay of >24 hrs were studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Health-related quality of life was assessed using a generic instrument, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey, at admission and at 6-month follow-up. Patients who developed multiple organ dysfunction (n = 170) consumed 85% of the therapeutic activity provided in the intensive care unit. Compared with age- and sex-adjusted general population controls, multiple organ dysfunction patients had a worse preadmission health-related quality of life than other intensive care unit patients, predominantly due to a higher burden of comorbid disease. In a multivariate analysis, multiple organ dysfunction was the only variable independently associated with deteriorated physical health domains at follow-up (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-14.6; p =.015), but it had no impact on dimensions of mental health. Analyzing the impact of different organ system failures, respiratory failure (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-10.3; p =.002) and acute renal failure (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-11.5; p =.05) increased the risk of deteriorated physical health at follow-up. No impact of the various organ system failures on mental health was noted. At 6-month follow-up, 83-90% of survivors had regained their previous health-related quality of life, and 94% were living at home with their families. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that preadmission health-related quality of life of our medical, noncoronary patients was substantially reduced compared with a matched general population. This demonstrates the need to take prehospitalization health-related quality of life into account when examining the outcomes of intensive care unit survivors. Multiple organ dysfunction was the major determinant of poor physical health at follow-up, but it had no impact on mental health domains.     

Prognostic factors of mortality in patients with community-acquired bloodstream infection with severe sepsis and septic shock

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to determine the independent risk factors on mortality in patients with community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods

A single-site prospective cohort study was carried out in a medical-surgical intensive care unit in an academic tertiary care center. One hundred twelve patients with community-acquired bloodstream infection with severe sepsis and septic shock were identified. Clinical, microbiologic, and laboratory parameters were compared between hospital survivors and hospital deaths.

Results

One-hundred twelve patients were included. The global mortality rate was 41.9%, 44.5% in septic shock and 34.4% in severe sepsis. One or more comorbidities were present in 66% of patients. The most commonly identified bloodstream pathogens were Escherichia coli (25%) and Staphylococcus aureus (21.4%). The proportion of patients receiving inadequate antimicrobial treatment was 8.9%. By univariate analysis, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, at least 3 organ dysfunctions, and albumin, but neither microbiologic characteristics nor site of infection, differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.21) and albumin (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.76) were independent risk factors associated with global mortality in logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

In addition to the severity of illness, hypoalbuminemia was identified as the most important prognostic factor in community-acquired bloodstream infection with severe sepsis and septic shock.     

Intensive care unit survivors have fewer hospital readmissions and readmission days than other hospitalized patients in British Columbia

OBJECTIVE: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients who survive their hospital admission have a long-term survival that is similar to that of hospitalized patients who do not require ICU admission. The risk of future readmission to the hospital for these two patient groups is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association between ICU admission and number of readmissions to the hospital and number of readmission days. DESIGN: Cohort study for 3 yrs between 1994 and 1997. SETTING: All acute care hospitals in British Columbia, Canada. PATIENTS: A total of 23,859 patients admitted to the ICU and 40,052 patients admitted to the hospital but not the ICU (5% random sample of total). INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured the number of readmissions to the hospital and the number of readmission days after discharge from the first admission to the hospital during the study period. For survivors to the end of the study period, patients who had been in the ICU had 0.66 readmissions per year and 5.29 readmission days per year compared with 0.73 readmissions per year and 5.48 readmission days per year for control subjects. After controlling for age, sex, socioeconomic status, number of previous ICU and hospital admissions, major clinical category during index admission, comorbidity score during index admission, length of hospital stay during index admission, size of index hospital, and period of follow-up, ICU admission was associated with fewer readmissions (survivors: rate ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.82; nonsurvivors: rate ratio, 0.85; 95%, confidence interval, 0.82-0.89) and readmission days (survivors: rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.95; nonsurvivors: rate ratio, 0.87; 95%, confidence interval, 0.81-0.92) than admission to the hospital but not the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of a hospital stay that includes admission to an ICU have fewer hospital readmissions and readmission days after their discharge than do survivors of a hospital stay without intensive care.     

Microalbuminuria in critically ill medical patients: prevalence,predictors, and prognostic significance

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence, predictors, and prognostic significance of microalbuminuria in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit of a community teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Admitted critically ill patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured serial spot urine albumin-creatinine ratios in 104 critically ill patients, with a median age of 64.5 yrs and median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores of 20.5 and 5.0, respectively. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria and 43.3% had an albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g at admission. The acuity of illness, being non-White, and having diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g. The overall mortality rate was 26.9% (28/104). Patients with an albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g were 2.7 times as likely to die compared with those with an albumin-creatinine ratio <100 mg/g, even after simultaneous adjustments for age, and APACHE II and SOFA scores (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-7.2, p =.04). The association of albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g with death was consistent across age, ethnicity, renal function, acuity of illness, and comorbid conditions. Among survivors, patients with an albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g stayed approximately 5 days longer in the hospital (p =.0007). Overall, the albumin-creatinine ratio shared similar predictive characteristics with APACHE II and SOFA scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a high prevalence of microalbuminuria in critically ill patients and suggests that an albumin-creatinine ratio >/=100 mg/g is an independent predictor of mortality and hospital stay.     

The effect of statin therapy on infection-related mortality in patients with atherosclerotic diseases

OBJECTIVE: Statins have pleiotropic effects that are independent of their lipid-lowering ability. We have previously shown that prior statin therapy is associated with a decreased risk of severe sepsis in patients admitted with acute bacterial infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether statin therapy is associated with a decreased risk of infection-related mortality. DESIGN: A prospective, observational, population-based study. SETTING: Tertiary university medical center. PATIENTS: Using a computerized database, 11,490 patients with atherosclerotic diseases were identified and followed for up to 3 yrs. Two groups of patients were compared: those receiving statins in the final month before follow-up termination and those who were not. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was infection-related mortality. Of the 11,362 patients included in the final analysis, 5,698 (50.1%) belonged to the statin group. Median follow-up was 19.8 months (interquartile range, 14.3-33.3). The risk of infection-related mortality was significantly lower in the statin compared with the no-statin group (0.9% vs. 4.1%), reflecting a relative risk of 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.28). Stepwise Cox proportional hazard survival analysis including a propensity score for receiving statins revealed that the protective effect of statins adjusted for all known potential confounders remained highly significant (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with statins may be associated with a reduced risk of infection-related mortality. This protective effect is independent of all known comorbidities and dissipates when the medication is discontinued. If this finding is supported by prospective controlled trials, statins may play an important role in the primary prevention of infection-related mortality.     

The impact of delirium on the survival of mechanically ventilated patients

OBJECTIVES: To revalidate a means of assessing delirium in intensive care unit patients and to investigate the independent effect of delirium on the mortality of mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: A 37-bed medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Subjects were 102 of 131 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients. MEASUREMENTS: All the enrolled patients were assessed for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Mortality rate were compared between patients with or without delirium, and the predictors of death were investigated. RESULTS: The two CAM-ICU assessors' sensitivities in diagnosing delirium compared with reference standard were 91% and 95%, whereas their specificities were both 98%. They also demonstrated high interrater reliability with kappa statistics of 0.91. Delirium was present in 22 of 102 (22%) patients in the first 5 days. The delirious patients had higher intensive care unit mortality rate than nondelirious patients (63.6% vs. 32.5%, respectively), with a hazard ratio of 2.57 (95% confidence interval, 1.56-8.15). In multivariate analysis, delirium (odds ratio, 13.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.69-62.91), shock (odds ratio, 12.91; 95% confidence interval, 2.93-56.92), and illness severity (odds ratio, 9.61; 95% confidence interval, 2.24-41.18) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms previous work showing that delirium is an independent predictor for increased mortality among mechanically ventilated patients.     

Nursing home patients in the intensive care unit: Risk factors for mortality

OBJECTIVE: To determine intensive care unit (ICU) admission characteristics predictive of mortality among older nursing home residents. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A 725-bed teaching nursing home and two teaching-hospital ICUs. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-three nursing home residents > or =75 yrs admitted to the ICU between July 1, 1999, and September 30, 2003. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Characteristics of nursing home residents admitted to the ICU were identified by medical record review at the nursing home and the hospital. Additionally, the minimum data set was used to calculate preadmission functional status using the Activities of Daily Living-Long Form (ADL-L) and cognitive status with the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS). Our primary outcomes were hospital mortality and mortality within 90 days of ICU admission. The nursing home residents admitted to the ICU were old (87.7 +/- 5.4 yrs) with impaired cognition (CPS 2.8 +/- 1.7, range 0-6, where 6 = most impaired) and moderately dependent function (ADL-L 14.5 +/- 9.4, range 0-28, where 28 = total dependence). Of the 123 patients, 33 (27%) died in the hospital, whereas 90 (73%) survived to hospital discharge. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score was independently associated with significantly increased odds of hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.02, 1.07). Among the 90 patients who survived to return to the nursing home, 34 (37.8%) died within 90 days. Cox regression demonstrated that higher APACHE III score (adjusted risk ratio 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.04) and increasing functional dependency before ICU admission (adjusted risk ratio 1.6; 95% confidence interval 1.05, 2.57, per ADL-L quartile) were independently associated with increased mortality rate within 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Among vulnerable elderly nursing home residents, higher APACHE III score is independently associated with increased hospital mortality rate and mortality within 90 days. Among hospital survivors, impaired functional status is independently associated with increased mortality rate within 90 days.     

Long-term outcome in intensive care unit survivors after mechanical ventilation for intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term survival and functional outcome in intensive care unit survivors after mechanical ventilation for intracerebral hemorrhage. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and prospective follow-up study. SETTING: Outpatient follow-up. PATIENTS: Between 1997 and 2000, 120 patients were mechanically ventilated for an intracerebral hemorrhage at our intensive care unit. Sixty-two patients were discharged from hospital (in-hospital mortality = 48%). Sixty patients were evaluated for survival and functional outcome (two were lost to follow-up). Time between discharge and follow-up was > or =1 yr and was a mean of 27 +/- 14 months (range, 12-56). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients' physicians were first asked about survival, and patients or proxies were interviewed by phone. Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale scores were collected, and demographic information and general data were reviewed. The estimated life-table survival curve after discharge was 64.6% at 1 yr and 57% at 3 yrs. In the 24 patients who died, the mean time between discharge and death was 5 +/- 6 months. Probability of death after discharge significantly increased if age at admission was >65 yrs (p <.01; odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-9.1) and if Glasgow Coma Scale score at discharge was <15 (p <.01; odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-9.5). In the 36 long-term survivors, Barthel Index was 67.5 +/- 15 (median +/- median absolute dispersion) and modified Rankin Scale score was 2.6 +/- 0.5. Fifteen patients (42%) had a slight or no disability (Barthel Index > or =90 and modified Rankin Scale score < or =2), whereas 21 patients (58%) had moderate or severe disability (Barthel Index < or =85 and modified Rankin Scale score >2). CONCLUSIONS: Probability of survival at 3 yrs after mechanical ventilation for an intracerebral hemorrhage was >50%. Age was an important determinant of long-term survival. Forty-two percent of long-term survivors were independent for activities of daily living. Only a few long-term survivors had a very high degree of disability.     

Effect of age on survival of critically ill patients with cancer

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects of age on 6-month survival of critically ill patients with cancer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. SETTING: Ten-bed oncologic medical-surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Eight hundred sixty-two patients with cancer, excluding bone marrow transplant patients. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean age was 57.8+/-16.2 yrs. The hospital and 6-month mortality rates were 48% and 58%, respectively. Age was independently associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 1.015; 95% confidence interval, 1.009-1.021). Martingale residual analysis, however, suggested an inflection point in the effect of age, with an upward trend for patients aged>60 yrs. Therefore, patients were stratified in two groups: young (60 yrs, n=431, 50%). In young patients, uncontrolled cancer, mechanical ventilation, and number of organ failures were associated with poor outcome, whereas surgery before intensive care unit admission was protective. The variables associated with increased mortality for elderly patients were performance status 3-4, uncontrolled cancer, number of organ failures, and the presence of a severe comorbidity. In this group, age was associated with a lower survival rate. In general, the effect of covariates on the outcome was higher in the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: Aging was associated with increased mortality, especially for patients>60 yrs. The severity of organ failures and the presence of uncontrolled cancer were the main predictive factors, but there were important differences among the outcome predictors for young and elderly patients. Our results suggest that selected older patients with cancer can benefit from intensive care.