Comparison of quick SOFA and SIRS scales at the bedside of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

Abstract

Introduction: One of the primary causes of community-acquired bacteremia also associated with nosocomial infections is Staphylococcus aureus, which is responsible for a high percentage of complications leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria have been traditionally used to evaluate the presence of sepsis; however, recent evidence questions its predictive value due to its low sensitivity and specificity. In 2016, new criteria for sepsis were published and a new tool emerged, quick SOFA (qSOFA), for the rapid evaluation of infection in emergency services. Objective: To compare the qSOFA and SRIS tools for the prediction of bacteremia caused by S. aureus. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational study in patients with S. aureus bacteremia to evaluate their phenotypic resistance patterns, some special features (sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and paraclinical values), complications, and mortality. The results of the qSOFA and SIRS scales were analyzed to identify which of them could better predict the presence of S. aureus bacteremia. Results: Twenty-six bacteremic patients were identified. Staphylococcus aureus was the second most frequently isolated bacteria. The results evidenced a mortality rate of 50% (13 cases) and a prevalence of 30% of MRSA. For the clinical scores evaluated, the qSOFA scale was positive in 30.8% of the patients, and the SIRS scale, in 92.3%. Discussion: The mortality rate for the population under study was high and the qSOFA tool had a lower diagnostic yield compared to the classic criteria for SIRS.