Srihawan C, et al. - The differences in clinical outcomes between older and younger adults with healthcare-associated meningitis or ventriculitis (HCAMV) is defined in this study. The outcome of this study suggests that the older adults with HCAMV have more comorbidities and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities and are more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults but have similarly high rates of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods

• For this research, they designed a retrospective study.
• Between July 2003 to November 2014, this study was conducted in a large tertiary care hospital in Houston, Texas.
• In this study, adults with a diagnosis of HCAMV (N = 160) aged ≥ 65 (n = 35), aged 18-64 (n = 125) were participated.

Results

• The current study showed that the older adults had more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities [pleocytosis, high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, low CSF glucose) and will probably have altered mental status than younger adults (P < .05).
• An adverse clinical outcome was observed in 142 participants (89%) (death (n = 18, 11%), persistent vegetative state (n = 26, 16%), severe disability (n = 68, 43%), moderate disability (n = 30, 19%).
• No difference was seen in adverse outcomes between older (97%) and younger (86%) adults (P= .13).
• On logistic regression analysis, abnormal neurological examination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15-23.63, P = .001) and mechanical ventilation (aOR = 11.03, 95% CI = 1.35-90.51, P = .02) were related to adverse clinical outcomes.