Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate risk factors for mortality among older adults (≥ 75 years) with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We included patients aged ≥ 75 years with HA-BSI in ICU from the EUROBACT-2 cohort (2019-2021). Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify predictors of 28-day mortality. RESULTS: The cohort included 563 patients (median age 80, 39% women). Mortality at 28 day was 50%. Factors associated with mortality in multivariate analysis were admission due to COVID-19, failure to achieve source control, and higher SOFA. Among older adults with Gram-negative BSI, corticosteroid administration for septic shock was an additional factor. Among functionally independent patients, age itself was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: HA-BSI in older adults in ICU are associated with high mortality. Inadequate source control is a significant modifiable risk factor. The use of corticosteroids in ICU management of older adults should be further investigated.