Risk Factors for Infective Endocarditis and Outcome of Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (SAIE) and 6-month mortality in patients with S aureus bacteremia (SAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS This study consisted of patients who were diagnosed as having nosocomial or community-acquired SAB or SAIE between June 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005. Clinical characteristics of patients with SAB were compared with those of patients with SAIE, and predictors of mortality in patients with SAB were analyzed. RESULTS The median age of the 132 randomly selected patients with SAB and the 66 patients with SAIE was 66 and 68 years, respectively. Univariable analysis showed that unknown origin of SAB, a valvular prosthesis, a pacemaker, persistent fever, and persistent bacteremia were significantly associated with SAIE. In multivariable analysis, unknown origin of SAB (odds ratio [OR], 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-9.3; P =.001), a valvular prosthesis (OR, 9.2; 95% CI, 3.2-26.2; P