Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) derived body composition and 30-day mortality in patients with pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). METHODS: A total of 89 eligible participants from a tertiary teaching hospital, enrolled between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, were included in the study. We analyzed the relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), total adipose tissue (TAT), and skeletal muscle (SM) and 30-day mortality in patients infected with carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) in the pulmonary region. Furthermore, we established Cox regression models and a personalized nomogram model to predict the probability of 30-day mortality in these infected patients. RESULTS: Individuals with high VAT exhibited a higher likelihood of 30-day all-cause mortality (P<0.01) and 30-day mortality due to CRKP infection (P<0.01) compared to those with low VAT. Similar results were observed for TAT. After adjusting for significant comorbidities and other clinical characteristics, Cox regression analysis revealed that male gender (adjusted HR = 4.37; 95% CI = 0.96-19.92, P=0.06), vasopressor use (adjusted HR = 3.65; 95% CI = 1.04-12.85, P=0.04), and VAT (adjusted HR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.01-1.34, P=0.03) were independent risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality among these infectious patients. CONCLUSION: The study results highlight the significant prognostic value of CT-quantified visceral adipose tissue in patients with CRKP pulmonary infection. Individuals with high VAT are more prone to mortality within 30 days compared to those with low VAT.