title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in orthopaedic trauma: identification of risk factors as a strategy for control of infection.
abstract: We have conducted a case-control study over a period of ten years comparing both deep infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and colonised cases with a control group. Risk factors associated with deep infection were vascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, admission to a high-dependency or an intensive-care unit and open wounds. Those for colonisation were institutional care, vascular diseases and dementia. Older age was a risk factor for any MRSA infection. The length of hospital stay was dramatically increased by deep infection. These risk factors are useful in identifying higher-risk patients who may be more susceptible to MRSA infection. A strategy of early identification and isolation may help to control its spread in trauma units.
authors.affiliation: The Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK. danielfascia@gmail.com
authors.forename: D T M
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Fascia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singanayagam
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014193:Trauma Centers