SURVIVAL TIME OF PATIENTS WITH MELIOIDOSIS; AN APPLICATION OF KAPLAN–MEIER SURVIVAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Melioidosis is a contagious infection caused by the gram-negative bacteria – Burkholderia pseudomallei. The modes of acquisition are inhalation, ingestion, and inoculation. Misdiagnosis of melioidosis is frequently reported due to limited awareness of the disease and confusion with tuberculosis. Antibiotic resistance of causative agent, age group, and organ involved are the prognostic factors contributing to melioidosis's high fatality. Hence, the purpose of this current research was to compare the survival probability in melioidosis patients according to the prognostic factors. This study documented 453 cases from Kedah and Perlis from 2014 until 2018 using a retrospective method. Patient’s medical information related to the study was extracted using a data collection sheet. All the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis was used to determine the 5-year survival and median survival time. In contrast, the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival probability based on the demographics, underlying diseases, and prognostic factors. The overall 5-year survival was 85%, and the median survival time of melioidosis patients was 30 days. Prognostic factors that cause a significant difference in survival probability and median survival time of melioidosis patients were age group above 40 years old, diabetes mellitus and chronic lung disease as comorbidities, and bacteremia melioidosis. Melioidosis should be classified as an opportunistic infection that has high mortality in the immunocompromised host. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can increase the survival advantages of melioidosis patients.