title: Clinical course, treatment, and multivariate analysis of risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pyogenic liver abscess is a threatening condition. The purpose of this study was to audit the clinical behavior and to analyze the risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-three patients treated in five hospitals during the years 1985 to 1997 were studied. By univariate and multivariate analysis we tried to identify any risk factor associated with complicated clinical course and complicated-related clinical course, and with hospital mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients (47%) were subjected to a percutaneous drainage, 45 (34%) were treated by open surgical drainage, and the remaining 25 cases (19%) received antibiotic therapy alone. Prognostic variables for a complicated clinical course were the presence of shock, low hemoglobin level, elevated prothrombin time, and polymicrobial infection. Shock, distress, low hemoglobin level, increased creatinine, and positive blood culture were significant predictors of a complicated-related clinical course. Concerning mortality, a biliary origin, shock, multiple abscesses, low hemoglobin level, and high concentration of blood urea nitrogen were independent predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of pyogenic liver abscesses should be tailored to each patient, however, the majority of them can be successfully treated with antibiotics and percutaneous methods. Those with signs of organ failure or septicemia should preferably be managed in the intensive care unit.
authors: Department of Surgery, San Agustin Hospital, Avilés, Spain. josealvar@arrakis.es
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Alvarez Pérez
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: González
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Baldonedo
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Sanz
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Carreño
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Junco
authors: J I
authors: JI
authors: Rodríguez
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Martínez
authors: J I
authors: JI
authors: Jorge
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents