Table 6

Outcomes of study patients


Intention to treat
Modified intention to treat

Antibiotic treatment
n = 22
No antibiotic treatment
n = 36
P value
Antibiotic treatment
n = 18
No antibiotic treatment
n = 26
P value

Duration of mechanical ventilation, days
29 ± 17
26 ± 15
0.816
26 ± 15
24 ± 15
0.952
Mechanical ventilation-free days, median (interquartile range)
12 (8–24)
2 (0–6)
<0.001
16 (9–25)
4 (2–10)
0.001
Length of ICU stay, days
40 ± 23
36 ± 21
0.558
37 ± 21
33 ± 20
0.445
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
3 (13)
17 (47)
0.011a
2 (11)
12 (46)
0.021a
ICU mortalityb
4 (18)
17 (47)
0.047a
0 (0)
11 (42)
0.001a
Infection or colonization related to MDR bacteria
9 (40)
13 (36)
0.784
7 (38)
8 (30)
0.748
     Ceftazidime or imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
3 (13)
6 (16)
0.534
3 (16)
5 (19)
>0.999
     Acinetobacter baumannii
0 (0)
2 (5)
0.521
0 (0)
0 (0)
NA
     Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
1 (4)
0 (0)
0.379
1 (5)
0 (0)
0.409
     Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
2 (9)
1 (2)
0.551
1 (5)
0 (0)
0.409
     ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacilli
3 (13)
4 (11)
0.540
2 (11)
3 (11)
>0.999

Results of univariate analysis are presented. Data are expressed as frequency (percentage) or mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise indicated. aOdds ratios (95% confidence intervals) are 0.17 (0.04 to 0.70), 0.14 (0.02 to 0.76), 0.24 (0.07 to 0.88), and 0.45 (0.31 to 0.66), respectively. bPredicted mortality rates, based on Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at ICU admission, were 39%, 39%, 35%, and 41% in the four groups, respectively. ESBL, extended-spectrum β-lactamase; ICU, intensive care unit; MDR, multidrug-resistant; NA, not applicable.

Nseir et al. Critical Care 2008 12:R62   doi:10.1186/cc6890