The quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) is a good predictor of in-hospital mortality in very elderly patients with bloodstream infections: A retrospective observational study

Abstract

People over 80 years old are now the fastest-growing age group. Bloodstream infections (BSI) in these patients may present with specific characteristics. The objective of this study was to analyze independent factors affecting in-hospital mortality (IHM) due to BSI in very elderly patients (≥80 years of age) and to compare the clinical presentation of BSI in patients aged 80–89 years versus those aged 90 or more. Retrospective, cross-sectional and observational study of BSI in patients aged 80 years or older. The study used IHM as the primary outcome. Stepwise multiple logistic regression models were used to identify associations between potential predictors and IHM. Of the 336 included patients, 76.8% (n = 258) were in the 80–89-year age group and 23.2% (n = 78) in the 90+ age group; 17.3% (n = 58) of patients died during admission. This outcome was independently associated with quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) of 2 or more (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–9.4; p < 0.001). Other predictors included an origin of BSI outside the urinary tract (aOR 5.5, 95% CI 2.4–12.6; p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (aOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.8–13.4; p = 0.002), hospital-acquired infection (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2–7.5; p = 0.015), and inappropriate empiric antibiotics (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.9; p = 0.04). IHM was 23.1% in the 90+ age group and 15.5% in patients aged 80 to 89 (p = 0.012). However, the 90+ age group was more likely to have a score of at least 2 on the qSOFA (29.9% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.043) and Pitt bacteremia scales (44.9% vs. 30.2%; p = 0.02), as well as chronic kidney disease (56.4% vs. 36.0%; p = 0.001) and altered mental state (40.3% vs. 25.7%; p = 0.013). In conclusion: A qSOFA score of 2 or more and a BSI originating outside the urinary tract were independent predictors of IHM. The 90+ age group was at higher risk than the 80–89-year age group of having a qSOFA score and Pitt bacteremia score of 2 or more as well as an altered mental state.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Mortality in Very Old Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Spain

“…This fact could be explained by the difficulty in registering this symptom in ill and very old patients. In fact, qSOFA––a simple scale easily performed at admission that evaluates respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and mental status—is a predictor of mortality by sepsis ( 33 ) and also a good predictor of a poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19 ( 34 ); it remains useful in patients ≥ 80 years old of age. In view of our results, we strongly recommend the use of qSOFA at admission in older patients with COVID-19.…”

Severity Scores in COVID-19 Pneumonia: a Multicenter, Retrospective, Cohort Study

“…MuLBSTA is a new prognostic tool for patients hospitalized with viral pneumonia 11 and has been suggested as a severity score for patients with COVID-19. 5 The qSOFA, based on the sepsis-3 criteria, 12 has proven to be a useful tool in the emergency department, 13 , 14 non-intensive-care-unit (ICU) wards, 15 – 17 and even at home 18 , 19 for establishing a prognosis in patients with documented or suspected infection with different foci. Recent works indicate that qSOFA is also a useful tool for identifying patients with poor prognoses in viral infections such as influenza.…”

Severity scores in COVID-19 pneumonia: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study

“…9,10 The multilobar infiltration, hypo-lymphocytosis, bacterial coinfection, smoking history, hypertension, and age (MuLBSTA) score, which is based on six parameters routinely measured in hospitals, is a new prognostic tool for patients hospitalized with viral pneumonia 11 and has been suggested as a severity score for patients with COVID-19. 5 The quick sequential organ failure assessment scale (qSOFA), based on the sepsis-3 definition, 12 has proven to be a useful tool in the emergency department, 13,14 non-intensive-care-unit (ICU) wards, 15,16,17 and even at home 18,19 for establishing a prognosis in patients with documented or suspected infection with different foci. Recent works indicate that qSOFA is also a useful tool for identifying patients with poor prognoses in viral infections such as influenza.…”