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Rachel V Thomas

Bacterial Infections Affect About 1 In 20 US Adults Hospitalized With Firearm Injuries

About one in 20 adults in the US hospitalized with firearm injuries develop bacterial infections, according to a study.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open as a research letter, showed that most infections occur during the initial hospitalization rather than after patients return home.

While firearm injuries are a major public health concern in the US, very little research has examined infectious complications that can occur after treatment.

"Firearm injury is a recognized risk for bacterial infection, but no large studies have described how often such infections occur and which patients are most at risk," said Jonathan D. Baghdadi, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM).

To better understand the risks after gunshot injuries, researchers analyzed data from 24,024 adults hospitalized with firearm injuries at 323 hospitals across the country between January 2019 and May 2021.

The study found that 1,236 patients—about 5%—developed a bacterial infection. Most cases occurred during the initial hospitalization, with only 1.3% occurring during the 90-day follow-up period.

Researchers also found that patients who underwent surgeries involving the head, neck, spine, liver or lower abdomen faced the highest risk of developing bacterial infections.

 The risk was more common among patients undergoing head, neck, spine or lower-abdominal surgery were especially vulnerable to bacterial infections.

The team found that most commonly identified pathogens patients were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci. These pathogens are known to acquire dangerous resistance, creating major challenges in hospitals and communities worldwide

Antibiotic exposure among patients who did not develop infections was generally low, which researchers said reflects current recommendations to limit preventive antibiotic use when there is no bacterial infection.

Bacterial infection was not independently linked to a higher risk of death among patients who survived at least one night in the hospital.

The authors noted that the research relied on administrative hospital data and that complete follow-up information may not have been available for every patient.

Nonetheless, the large national dataset provided an opportunity to evaluate infection risk across a broad and diverse patient population.

"Recovery from firearm injuries can be complicated. Although our study focused on mortality, infections can impact recovery in multiple ways, contributing to long-term pain and disability," Baghdadi said.

"By identifying the patients most likely to develop these complications, we hope this work contributes to more informed clinical decision-making and ultimately better outcomes for patients."

Baghdadi hopes that by developing a definition to identify patients with bacterial infection after firearm injury using observational and administrative datasets, and demonstrating how to apply it, other researchers will use the approach to conduct studies targeting more specific clinical questions.

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About one in 20 adults in the US hospitalized with firearm injuries develop bacterial infections, according to a study.The findings, published in JAMA Network Open as a research letter, showed that most infections occur during the initial hospitalization rather than after patients return home.While firearm injuries are a major public health concern in the US, very little research has examined infectious complications that can occur after treatment."Firearm injury is a recognized risk for bacterial infection, but no large studies have described how often such infections occur and which patients are most at risk," said Jonathan D. Baghdadi, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM).Most Infections Emerged EarlyTo better understand the risks after gunshot injuries, researchers analyzed data from 24,024 adults hospitalized with firearm injuries at 323 hospitals across the country between January 2019 and May 2021.The study found that 1,236 patients—about 5%—developed a bacterial infection. Most cases occurred during the initial hospitalization, with only 1.3% occurring during the 90-day follow-up period.Researchers also found that patients who underwent surgeries involving the head, neck, spine, liver or lower abdomen faced the highest risk of developing bacterial infections.Who Faced the Greatest Risk? The risk was more common among patients undergoing head, neck, spine or lower-abdominal surgery were especially vulnerable to bacterial infections.The team found that most commonly identified pathogens patients were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci. These pathogens are known to acquire dangerous resistance, creating major challenges in hospitals and communities worldwideAntibiotic exposure among patients who did not develop infections was generally low, which researchers said reflects current recommendations to limit preventive antibiotic use when there is no bacterial infection.Bacterial infection was not independently linked to a higher risk of death among patients who survived at least one night in the hospital.Study LimitationsThe authors noted that the research relied on administrative hospital data and that complete follow-up information may not have been available for every patient.Nonetheless, the large national dataset provided an opportunity to evaluate infection risk across a broad and diverse patient population."Recovery from firearm injuries can be complicated. Although our study focused on mortality, infections can impact recovery in multiple ways, contributing to long-term pain and disability," Baghdadi said."By identifying the patients most likely to develop these complications, we hope this work contributes to more informed clinical decision-making and ultimately better outcomes for patients."Baghdadi hopes that by developing a definition to identify patients with bacterial infection after firearm injury using observational and administrative datasets, and demonstrating how to apply it, other researchers will use the approach to conduct studies targeting more specific clinical questions.

bacterial infections affect about 1 in 20 us adults hospitalized with firearm injuries

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Bacterial Infections Affect About 1 In 20 US Adults Hospitalized With Firearm Injuries

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Health Conditions A-Z

Postmenopausal Women May Face More Severe Dry Eye Disease; How Do Hormones Contribute?

Bacterial Infections Affect About 1 In 20 US Adults Hospitalized With Firearm Injuries

Why Indian Doctors Are Seeking A Ban On Junk Food Ads And Mandatory Warning Labels On Packaging?