Table 1 Characteristics of patients receiving systemic antimicrobial treatment, n (%)
Study population n = 120 | |
|---|---|
Age (years, median, IQR) | 71 (54–83) |
Sex (M/F) | 68/52 |
Type of ward | |
Medical | 48 (40.0%) |
Surgical | 72 (60.0%) |
Comorbidities | 114 (95.0%) |
Heart diseases | 40 (33.3%) |
Diabetes | 31 (25.8%) |
Neurological diseases | 28 (23.3%) |
Respiratory diseases | 27 (22.5%) |
Chronic kidney disease | 25 (20.8%) |
Immunosuppression | 53 (44.2%) |
Solid organ transplant | 3 (2.5%) |
Solid malignancies | 34 (28.3%) |
Hematological malignancies | 11 (9.2%) |
Autoimmune diseases | 9 (7.5%) |
Antibiotic allergy | 12 (10.0%) |
Penicillin | 4 (3.3%) |
Cephalosporin | 2 (1.7%) |
Sulfamide | 1 (0.8%) |
Features of infections | |
At least one nosocomial infection | 43 (35.8%) |
At least one episode of fever of unknown origin | 5 (4.2%) |
At least one clinically documented infection | 43 (35.8%) |
At least one microbiologically documented infection | 67 (55.8%) |
Main sites of infections | |
Lungs | 28 (23.3%) |
Abdomen | 23 (19.2%) |
Bone and joints | 20 (16.7%) |
Urinary tract | 18 (15.0%) |
Surgical site | 11 (9.2%) |
Endocarditis | 6 (5.0%) |
Soft tissues | 5 (4.2%) |
Primary bacteremia | 4 (3.3%) |
Catheter | 2 (1.7%) |
At least one prior consultation by an ID specialist | 55 (45.8%) |
Prescribed antibiotics* | |
Amoxicillin-clavulanate | 32 (26.7%) |
Piperacillin-tazobactam | 25 (20.8%) |
First-to third-generation cephalosporins | 19 (15.8%) |
Co-trimoxazole | 19 (15.8%) |
Vancomycin | 17 (14.2%) |
Other penicillins | 12 (10.0%) |
Carbapenems | 12 (10.0%) |
Quinolones | 8 (6.7%) |
Metronidazole | 8 (6.7%) |
Macrolides | 3 (2.5%) |