The spectrum of infection-related morbidity in hospitalized haemodialysis patients

Michael Allon, Milena Radeva, James Bailey, Srinivasan Beddhu, David Butterly, Daniel W. Coyne, Thomas A. Depner, Jennifer J. Gassman, Allen M. Kaufman, George A. Kaysen, Julia A. Lewis, Steve J. Schwab

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Infection is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in haemodialysis patients. Few prospective studies have examined the clinical consequences of infection-related hospitalizations in haemodialysis patients or the risk factors predictive of clinical outcomes. Methods. The outcomes of all first infection-related hospitalizations of patients enrolled in the HEMO Study were categorized in terms of mortality, requirement for intensive care unit (ICU) stay and length of hospitalization. In addition, the association of hospitalization outcomes with clinical and laboratory parameters was evaluated. Results. Among the 783 first infection-related hospitalizations, 57.7% had a severe outcome (death, ICU stay or hospitalization ≥7 days). The likelihood of a severe outcome increased with patient age (P < 0.0001) and with decreased serum albumin (P < 0.001). The frequency of a severe outcome varied greatly by infectious disease category (P < 0.001), being highest for cardiac infections (95.6%) and infection of unknown source (68.4%), and lowest for urinary tract infections (35.5%) and access-related infections (43.8%). On multivariate analysis, hospitalization outcome was independently associated with patient age, serum albumin and disease category, but not with the randomized Kt/V or flux, gender, race or diabetic status. Conclusion. In summary, infection-related hospitalizations are associated with substantial morbidity. Patient age, serum albumin and infectious disease category are independently correlated with the hospitalization outcome, and can be used to estimate the likelihood of serious outcomes at the time of hospital admission.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1180-1186
Number of pages7
JournalNephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Volume20
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2005

Keywords

  • Catheter
  • Haemodialysis
  • Infection
  • Sepsis
  • Vascular access

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The spectrum of infection-related morbidity in hospitalized haemodialysis patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this