Investigating related factors with mortality rate in patients with postoperative meningitis: One longitudinal follow up study in Iran

Background: Postoperative meningitis (POM) is the most dreaded cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgery patients. This study aimed to identify incidence and mortality rate as well as related factors to outcome in patients with POM. Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study conducted on patients with POM in duration of 2 years. Incidence and mortality rates as well as related factors were studied. Results: The incidence and mortality rates of POM was 8.9% and 50%, respectively. There were statistically significant association between male gender, as well as having mechanical ventilation, and death outcome in univariable analysis. In addition, in multivariable logistic regression analysis, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay of more than 7 days [Odds ratio (OR): 1.2, confidence interval of 95% (95%CI): 1.02-6.2), mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.1, 95%CI: 1.05-5.1], positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture (OR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.9-4.08) were predicting factors to death outcome. Finally, we found an inverse relationship between survival function and length of ICU stay in patients with POM. Conclusion: According to the high rates of incidence and mortality due to POM in this study, preventive studies to decrease this dreaded cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgery patients should be the planned.