Analysis of the Current Situation and Risk Factors of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among ICU Patients in Guizhou, China During 2019–2022

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the prevalence, features, and risk factors of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a newly established hospital in Zunyi City. The goal is to devise strategies for preventing LRTIs in the ICU of new hospitals, thereby mitigating the incidence of nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients. Methods: A case-control study was conducted from March 2019 to December 2022 to investigate the incidence rate of LRTIs in the ICU of a newly constructed hospital in Zunyi City. Patients with LRTIs constituted the case group, while those without LRTIs constituted the control group, where a 1:1 matching principle was adhered to. A single-factor chi-squared (χ²) test was employed to analyze the risk factors, with independent risk factors being explored using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 169 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated, comprising 66.28% gram-negative bacteria, 17.75% gram-positive bacteria, and 15.97% fungi. The most prevalent pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii (43.20%), Candida albicans (10.65%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.88%). Of the 82 strains infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with LRTIs, 81.7% were carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, 9.8% were multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 6.1% were carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli. Identified risk factors included smoking history, total hospitalization days, ICU stay length, hypoproteinemia, indwelling gastric tube, intubation type, duration of mechanical ventilation, usage of antibacterial drugs, and administration of protein drugs (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that these factors were independent risk factors for nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ICU patients in our hospital were mainly infected by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. To prevent LRTIs in patients, tailored preventive measures should be developed and the rational use of antibacterial drugs should be promoted.