Healthcare-associated carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are associated with higher mortality compared to carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae infections in the intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study

J Hosp Infect. 2024 Jun:148:30-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.03.003. Epub 2024 Mar 19.

Abstract

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe pneumonia and sepsis. Carbapenem-resistant KP (CRKP) has become a major pathogen in many centres.

Aim: To investigate the association between carbapenem resistance and the mortality rate, length of stay, and hospital cost in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted in the intensive care units of a large teaching tertiary hospital in southwest China between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2022. To examine the impact of carbapenem resistance on mortality rates and economic burden, multivariate Cox regression and generalized linear models were constructed.

Findings: The study included 282 adult patients with KP infection (135 CSKP; 147 CRKP). CRKP-infected patients demonstrated higher mortality risk (unadjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.980; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.206-3.248; P = 0.007; aHR: 1.767; 95% CI: 1.038-3.005; P = 0.036) compared to CSKP-infected patients. Stratified analysis, according to type of KP infection, revealed that patients with healthcare-associated CRKP infection had a significantly higher mortality risk compared to those with CSKP infection (log-rank P = 0.015). Patients with CRKP infection had longer hospital stays than those infected with CSKP (adjusted mean: 38.74 vs 29.71 days; P = 0.003), and hospital-related expenses were notably higher among CRKP patients than CSKP patients (adjusted cost: £40,126.73 vs 25,713.74; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: CRKP infections increase mortality rates, prolong hospital stays, and raise healthcare costs. Healthcare facilities should adopt targeted strategies, including curtailing pre-infection hospitalization periods and managing medications more judiciously.

Keywords: Carbapenem resistance; Cost; Healthcare-associated infection; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Length of stay; Mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection* / microbiology
  • Cross Infection* / mortality
  • Female
  • Hospital Costs / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitals, Teaching / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units* / statistics & numerical data
  • Klebsiella Infections* / drug therapy
  • Klebsiella Infections* / microbiology
  • Klebsiella Infections* / mortality
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae* / drug effects
  • Length of Stay* / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tertiary Care Centers* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Carbapenems
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents