Conclusions
Adult patients without underlying comorbidities that developed BM in recent years were older and more likely to have pneumococcal or listerial infections and systemic complications. In-hospital death was less likely in the second period, after adjusting for risk factors of mortality.
Methods
Single-center, prospective observational cohort study of 328 adults with BM hospitalized in a tertiary university hospital in Barcelona (Spain). We compared the features of infections diagnosed in 1982-2000 and 2001-2019. The main outcome measure was in-hospital mortality.
Results
The median age of the patients increased from 37 to 45 years. Meningococcal meningitis significantly diminished (56% versus 31%, p < 0.000) whereas listerial meningitis increased (1.2% versus 8%, p = 0.004). Systemic complications were more common in the second period, although mortality did not vary significantly between periods (10.4% versus 9.2%). However, after adjusting for relevant variables, infection in the second period was associated with lower risk death. Conclusions: Adult patients without underlying comorbidities that developed BM in recent years were older and more likely to have pneumococcal or listerial infections and systemic complications. In-hospital death was less likely in the second period, after adjusting for risk factors of mortality.