Ho-Yin Huang1, Po-Liang Lu2, Ya-Ling Wang3, Tun-Chieh Chen4, Ko Chang5, Shang-Yi Lin6. 1. Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 2. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 5. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 6. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: amoe616@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) Quality of Clinical Candidaemia Management (EQUAL) score is a tool designed by the ECMM to measure guideline adherence. The current study investigated the association between EQUAL scores and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in three hospitals in Taiwan. Patients with candidaemia between January 2014 and July 2018 were enrolled. Guideline adherence was evaluated using EQUAL score indicators. Clinical outcomes and predictors of 30-day mortality were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 384 patients were enrolled. The overall mean EQUAL score was 8.91 ± 3.42 (9.42 ± 3.60 in survivors vs. 8.10 ± 2.94 in non-survivors, p < 0.001). Higher scores were positively correlated with survival (p < 0.001). Scores of 16-22 indicated the highest survival rates (p for trend <0.001). The Kaplan-Meier plot revealed that patients with EQUAL scores ≥10 exhibited significantly higher survival rates (p < 0.001) than those with scores <10. Multivariable analysis revealed that EQUAL scores ≥10 (odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.74), advanced age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04), septic shock (OR 4.42, 95% CI 2.09-9.36), high sequential organ failure assessment scores (OR 4.28, 95% CI 2.15-8.52), intravascular catheter-related source (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.94) and central venous catheter retention (OR 5.41, 95% CI 2.06-14.24) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. DISCUSSION: Greater guideline adherence with a higher EQUAL score was significantly associated with survival. An EQUAL score cutoff point <10 predicted 30-day mortality.
BACKGROUND: The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) Quality of Clinical Candidaemia Management (EQUAL) score is a tool designed by the ECMM to measure guideline adherence. The current study investigated the association between EQUAL scores and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in three hospitals in Taiwan. Patients with candidaemia between January 2014 and July 2018 were enrolled. Guideline adherence was evaluated using EQUAL score indicators. Clinical outcomes and predictors of 30-day mortality were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 384 patients were enrolled. The overall mean EQUAL score was 8.91 ± 3.42 (9.42 ± 3.60 in survivors vs. 8.10 ± 2.94 in non-survivors, p < 0.001). Higher scores were positively correlated with survival (p < 0.001). Scores of 16-22 indicated the highest survival rates (p for trend <0.001). The Kaplan-Meier plot revealed that patients with EQUAL scores ≥10 exhibited significantly higher survival rates (p < 0.001) than those with scores <10. Multivariable analysis revealed that EQUAL scores ≥10 (odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.74), advanced age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04), septic shock (OR 4.42, 95% CI 2.09-9.36), high sequential organ failure assessment scores (OR 4.28, 95% CI 2.15-8.52), intravascular catheter-related source (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.94) and central venous catheter retention (OR 5.41, 95% CI 2.06-14.24) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. DISCUSSION: Greater guideline adherence with a higher EQUAL score was significantly associated with survival. An EQUAL score cutoff point <10 predicted 30-day mortality.