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| Authors | J Gonzi C Abela |
| Abstract | Introduction: Meningococcaemia results in a fulminant infection and causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aim: The purpose of this retrospective and consecutive study was to document the outcome of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit of St Lukes Hospital Malta over a two year period from January 2004 to December 2005, as well as to identify any predictors associated with worse outcome or death. Method: Patients notes and intensive therapy charts were obtained from the records department. Dermographic data, type of clinical presentation, time that elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the first dose of antibiotics, investigation results, length of stay in the intensive therapy unit and mortality rate were recorded. The survivors were re-assessed at the time of the study to quantify the degree of residual morbidity and quality of life related to their menincococcal disease. Results: During the 2-year period 2004-5, 10 patients were admitted to the ITU. Of these 6 were in 2004 and 4 in 2005. Three patients were admitted with meningococcal meningitis while 7 had meningococcal septicaemia. Of these, 3 patients died and 7 patients survived and eventually discharged home. Summary: This study shows a relatively low incidence of meningococcal disease requiring adult ITU admission (3 years and older). The moratlity rate was 30% (3/10) whilst the morbidity of the survivors and their quality of life ranged from full recovery to various grades of organ dysfunction. Factors associated with worse outcome or death can be extrapolated from our data. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | intensive care, meningitis, outcome, septicaemia, meningococcus |