Study design: Retrospective cohort study.
Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of multidrug resistant gram-negative organisms (MDRGNOs) on outcomes in those with SCI/D.
Setting: VA SCI System of Care, Department of Veterans Affairs, United States.
Methods: Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as being non-susceptible to ≥1 antibiotic in ≥3 antibiotic classes. Multivariable cluster-adjusted regression models were fit to assess the association of MDRGNOs with 1-year mortality, 30-day readmission, and postculture length of stay (LOS) stratified by case setting patients. Only the first culture per patient during the study period was included.
Results: A total of 8,681 individuals with SCI/D had a culture with gram-negative bacteria during the study period, of which 33.0% had a MDRGNO. Overall, 954 (10.9%) died within 1 year of culture date. Poisson regression showed that MDR was associated with 1-year mortality among outpatients (IRR: 1.28, 95% CI, 1.06-1.54) and long-term care patients (OR: 2.06, 95% CI, 1.28-3.31). MDR significantly impacted postculture LOS in inpatients, as evidenced by a 10% longer LOS in MDR vs. non-MDR (IRR: 1.10, 95% CI, 1.02-1.19). MDR was not associated with increased 30-day readmission.
Conclusions: MDRGNOs are prevalent in SCI/D and MDR may result in poor outcomes. Further attention to prevention of infections, antibiotic stewardship, and management are warranted in this population.