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Annals of Intensive Care
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Transfusion of platelets, but not of red blood cells, is independently associated with nosocomial infections in the critically ill

Authors: Leo J. Engele, Marleen Straat, Ingeborg H. M. van Rooijen, Karen M. K. de Vooght, Olaf L. Cremer, Marcus J. Schultz, Lieuwe D. J. Bos, Nicole P. Juffermans, MARS Consortium

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has been associated with nosocomial infection in the critically ill patients. However, this association may be confounded by length of stay, as prolonged intensive care unit (ICU stay) increases both risk of infection and risk of transfusion. Also, it is not known whether specific blood products have differential risks.

Methods

In this prospective multicentre cohort study, the risk of bacterial infections associated with transfusion products in critically ill (ICU) patients was determined in an integrated statistical model, using Cox proportional hazard analysis to account for attrition bias. In all acutely admitted patients with a length of stay of >48 h between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012, the occurrence of nosocomial infections in the ICU was prospectively monitored using CDC criteria.

Results

Of 3502 screened patients, 476 (13.6 %) developed a nosocomial infection. These patients had higher APACHE IV scores, had longer ICU length of stay and were more frequently transfused compared to patients without an infection. Logistic regression showed that RBC transfusion was a risk factor for infection [odds ratio (OR) 1.98, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.54–2.55, p < 0.001], as well the number of RBC units transfused (OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.03–1.06, p < 0.001). However, these associations disappeared in the Cox proportional hazard analysis. In contrast, we found an association between plasma transfusion and infection [hazard ratio (HR) 1.36, 95 % CI 1.10–1.69, p = 0.004] and between platelet transfusion and infection (HR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.18–1.81, p < 0.001). However, only platelet transfusion was associated with infection independently from other transfusion products (HR 1.40, 95 % CI 1.03–1.90, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

In critically ill patients, transfusion of platelets, but not of RBCs and plasma, is an independent risk factor for acquiring a nosocomial infection.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Transfusion of platelets, but not of red blood cells, is independently associated with nosocomial infections in the critically ill
Authors
Leo J. Engele
Marleen Straat
Ingeborg H. M. van Rooijen
Karen M. K. de Vooght
Olaf L. Cremer
Marcus J. Schultz
Lieuwe D. J. Bos
Nicole P. Juffermans
MARS Consortium
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-016-0173-1

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