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Biomedical subjects

Robin L Kruse

Publications and source records attributed to Robin L Kruse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Predictors of mortality for lower respiratory infections in nursing home residents with dementia were validated transnationally.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Generalizability of clinical predictors for mortality from lower respiratory infection (LRI) in nursing home residents has not been assessed for residents with dementia. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In prospective cohort studies of LRI in 61 nursing homes in the Netherlands (n = 541) and 36 nursing homes in Missouri, USA (n = 564), we examined 14-day and 1- and 3-month mortality in residents with dementia who were treated with antibiotics. RESULTS: A logistic model predicting 14-day mortality derived from Dutch data included eating dependency, elevated pulse, decreased alertness, respiratory difficulty, insufficient fluid intake, high respiratory rate, male gender, and pressure sores. After adjusting coefficients with the heuristic shrinkage factor, the 14-day model showed good discrimination and calibration in both datasets. The apparent c-statistic for the original Dutch model was 0.80 (after correction for optimism, it was 0.75); the c-statistic was 0.74 in the U.S. validation population. The models predicting 1- and 3-month mortality showed moderate performance. A scoring system for estimating 14-day mortality performed equally well as the original model. CONCLUSION: We identified a set of credible clinical predictors that are easily assessed and demonstrated validity in identifying residents at low risk of dying from LRI across different nursing home populations. This tool should inform decision-making for families and doctors.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Defining severe dementia with the Minimum Data Set.

BACKGROUND: Accurately defining severe dementia is important for care and prognosis, but is not explicitly included in the Minimum Data Set (MDS). OBJECTIVE: To define severe dementia using the MDS, we used data for nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies enrolled 175 residents; 89 residents from one US Veterans Affairs nursing home, and 86 residents from nine Dutch nursing homes. Measurements included the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS; range: 0-6), activities of daily living (ADL) dependency, and the Bedford Alzheimer Nursing Severity-Scale (BANS-S; range: 7-28), a staging instrument specific for severe dementia. RESULTS: Half of the residents received CPS scores of 5, and their BANS-S scores varied widely. There was fair agreement (kappa=0.36) between severe cognitive impairment as defined by the CPS (scores 5 and 6) and the BANS-S (score 17 or higher). Addition of an ADL dependency requirement to the CPS definition improved agreement (kappa=0.75). The observed patterns were similar but more obvious for US residents than for Dutch residents. CONCLUSION: Cognitively impaired residents comprise a heterogeneous group with a wide variety of function. Restriction with respect to ADL dependency allows for distinction between moderate and severe dementia. We propose the following MDS-based definition of severe dementia: a CPS score of 5 or 6 with a minimum score of at least 10 points on the MDS ADL-Short Form.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Home-based comprehensive assessment of rural elderly persons: the CARE project.

CONTEXT: Home-based comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been effective in urban areas but has had little study in rural areas. CGA involves medical history taking, a physical exam, and evaluation of functional status, mental status, cognitive status, gait and balance, medications, vision, extent of social supports, and home safety. We sought to develop and pilot a model of rural home-based CGA to determine whether successful urban models can be adapted to rural areas. METHODS: This study was a developmental demonstration project with qualitative and quantitative evaluation components of a home-based CGA model using a home health agency and a geriatrician participating from a remote location by teleconference. Findings and recommendations were relayed to patients, caregivers, and primary physicians. The population studied was elderly volunteers (N = 51) aged 75 years and older who did not have a terminal diagnosis or immediate plans to enter a long-term care facility. Survey instruments and focus groups were used with subjects, family members or caregivers, and physicians to generate refinements and outcome measures for the model. FINDINGS: Among the 51 patients undergoing CGA, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living dependency and balance and gait problems were highly prevalent. Means of 1.1 major problems and 4.9 nonmajor problems were identified per patient. Recommendations were implemented for 32% of major problems and for 35% of nonmajor problems. Primary physicians found recommendations for vaccination and home safety change helpful but were skeptical of physical examination findings by the nurse. Practitioners noted that this study resulted in several positive outcomes: (1) some subjects initiated regular clinic visits; (2) several visually impaired elders began services for the blind; (3) identification of gait and balance problems resulted in physical therapy treatment; and (4) identification of caregiver stress was addressed by social-work intervention. Potential further refinements of the model for rural home-based CGA were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based CGA identifies important problems of rural older adults. However, modifications are still needed to create a truly effective process.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Decrease in anogenital distance among male infants with prenatal phthalate exposure.

Prenatal phthalate exposure impairs testicular function and shortens anogenital distance (AGD) in male rodents. We present data from the first study to examine AGD and other genital measurements in relation to prenatal phthalate exposure in humans. A standardized measure of AGD was obtained in 134 boys 2-36 months of age. AGD was significantly correlated with penile volume (R = 0.27, p = 0.001) and the proportion of boys with incomplete testicular descent (R = 0.20, p = 0.02). We defined the anogenital index (AGI) as AGD divided by weight at examination [AGI = AGD/weight (mm/kg)] and calculated the age-adjusted AGI by regression analysis. We examined nine phthalate monoester metabolites, measured in prenatal urine samples, as predictors of age-adjusted AGI in regression and categorical analyses that included all participants with prenatal urine samples (n = 85). Urinary concentrations of four phthalate metabolites [monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP)] were inversely related to AGI. After adjusting for age at examination, p-values for regression coefficients ranged from 0.007 to 0.097. Comparing boys with prenatal MBP concentration in the highest quartile with those in the lowest quartile, the odds ratio for a shorter than expected AGI was 10.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.5 to 42.2). The corresponding odds ratios for MEP, MBzP, and MiBP were 4.7, 3.8, and 9.1, respectively (all p-values < 0.05). We defined a summary phthalate score to quantify joint exposure to these four phthalate metabolites. The age-adjusted AGI decreased significantly with increasing phthalate score (p-value for slope = 0.009). The associations between male genital development and phthalate exposure seen here are consistent with the phthalate-related syndrome of incomplete virilization that has been reported in prenatally exposed rodents. The median concentrations of phthalate metabolites that are associated with short AGI and incomplete testicular descent are below those found in one-quarter of the female population of the United States, based on a nationwide sample. These data support the hypothesis that prenatal phthalate exposure at environmental levels can adversely affect male reproductive development in humans.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2005

The ACGME core competencies: a national survey of family medicine program directors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Beginning in July 2002, all residencies were required to show that their residents were obtaining competency in six core areas defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). METHODS: In 2003, we surveyed all 444 family medicine program directors regarding the ACGME Core Competencies and how programs evaluated them. RESULTS: A total of 287/444 (64.6%) responded. Almost all (279/287) had heard of the ACGME Core Competencies, and most (257/287) had begun to implement evaluation programs. Of program directors responding, 67.6% identified patient care as the most important competency. Evaluation methods most frequently used were active precepting (76.0%), record review (72.8%), and procedure logs (63.8%). The least commonly used tools were OSCE (9.1%), audit of computer utilization and knowledge (10.5%), and simulations (11.1%). Respondents identified time (74.3 %) and faculty development (13.0%) as primary implementation barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Program directors believe that patient care is the most important competency. Some programs are not yet attempting to address the competencies, and some were unaware of the accreditation implications of noncompliance with the Outcome Project. Time was identified as the major barrier to implementing core competency evaluation methods.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2004

Does hospitalization impact survival after lower respiratory infection in nursing home residents?

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory infection (LRI) is the leading cause of hospitalization for nursing home residents, but hospitalization is costly and may cause complications. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare mortality and cost between episodes of LRI initially treated in the hospital versus the nursing home after controlling for illness severity and the probability of hospitalization. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study of nursing home residents with LRIs. SUBJECTS: We identified 1406 episodes of LRI in 36 nursing homes in central Missouri and the St. Louis area between August 15, 1995, and September 30, 1998. Economic analysis was restricted to 1033 episodes identified after March 31, 1997. MEASURES: We adjusted for the higher probability of initial hospitalization in sicker residents using measures of illness severity and a hospitalization propensity score. The propensity score was derived from a logistic regression model that included patient, physician, and facility variables. Estimated costs were attributed to initial treatment setting. RESULTS: After controlling for the probability of hospitalization and illness severity, hospitalization was not a significant mortality predictor (odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.52-1.52). Mean daily cost was $138.24 for initial nursing home treatment and $419.75 for the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for illness severity and propensity for hospitalization, hospital treatment is not associated with either increased or decreased risk for mortality for nursing home residents with LRIs. For residents with low and medium mortality risk, nursing home treatment is likely to be safe and less costly.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of interns by senior residents and faculty: is there any difference?

INTRODUCTION: Both senior residents and faculty members evaluate family practice interns (PGY-1) on the inpatient family medicine service at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the content and nature of narrative comments on a clinical evaluation sheet. METHODS: Objective 1. The authors placed the subjective comments made by faculty and senior residents in their evaluations of PGY-1 residents into 12 distinctive categories. Objective 2. Comments were coded with a positive or negative valence. Objective 3. The genders of the evaluator and learner were recorded. RESULTS: All evaluations made between 1996 and 1999 were analysed. A total of 1341 individual comments were reviewed. Objective 1. Categories used most often were generic comments (20.2%), personal attributes (18%), and clinical competence (14.1%). There was no difference in category use based on the experience level of the evaluator (P = 0.17). Objective 2. The majority of the comments (81.9%) were positive in nature. Senior faculty members were significantly less likely to make negative comments than were junior faculty members or senior residents (P = 0.004). Objective 3. There were no differences in category use based on the gender of the evaluator (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Objective 1. Narrative evaluation comments may be placed into 12 distinctive categories. Most comments are generic and do not help to inform learning. Objective 2. A total of 82% of comments were positive. Residents were more likely to make negative comments than senior faculty members. Objective 3. There was no demonstrable gender bias in writing negative comments.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2004

Effect of do-not-resuscitate orders on hospitalization of nursing home residents evaluated for lower respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: To determine resident and facility characteristics associated with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and to test the effect of DNR orders on hospitalization of acutely ill nursing home (NH) residents with lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs). DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Thirty-six NHs (almost 4,000 residents) in central and eastern Missouri in the Missouri Lower Respiratory Infection study. PARTICIPANTS: NH residents with a LRI (n=1031). MEASUREMENTS: Data were obtained from new Minimum Data Set evaluations, resident examination, and chart review. Associations between resident, physician, and facility characteristics and the presence of a DNR order and hospitalization within 30 days from evaluation for an LRI were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty percent of subjects had a DNR order, and 2% had a do-not-hospitalize order. Resident characteristics associated with a DNR order included older age, white race, having a surrogate decision-maker, NH residence for longer than 3 years, and more-impaired cognition. Residents with DNR orders were more likely to live in facilities with more licensed beds, a lower proportion of Medicaid recipients, and a higher prevalence of influenza vaccination. After controlling for potential confounders, residents with a DNR order before the acute illness episode were significantly less likely to be hospitalized (adjusted odds ratio=0.69, 95% confidence interval=0.49-0.97). CONCLUSION: DNR orders independently reduce the risk of hospitalization for LRI and may function as a marker for undocumented care limitations or as a mandate to limit care (unrelated to resuscitation) in NH residents with LRI.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Treatment of nursing home residents with dementia and lower respiratory tract infection in the United States and The Netherlands: an ocean apart.

OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment of nursing home residents with dementia and lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) in Missouri and the Netherlands. DESIGN: Two separate but simultaneous prospective cohort studies. SETTING: Nursing homes in Missouri (n=36) and the Netherlands (n=61). PARTICIPANTS: Selected residents (701 from Missouri and 551 from the Netherlands) diagnosed with LRI and dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Treatment, dementia severity, symptoms and signs of LRI, and general health condition were recorded at the time of diagnosis of LRI. Death was monitored at follow-up. Treatment and mortality, stratified for dementia severity, are reported. RESULTS: Treatment of nursing home-acquired LRI in Missouri residents involved a larger number of antibiotics, more frequent hospitalization, and greater use of intravenous antibiotics and rehydration therapy than in Dutch residents of equal dementia severity. Furthermore, for Missouri residents, intensive interventions were more often provided irrespective of severe dementia. By contrast, in both countries, treatments to relieve symptoms of LRI were provided for only a minority of residents. Dutch mortality rates were higher overall. CONCLUSION: Care for U.S. nursing home residents with LRI and dementia is more aggressive than care for Dutch residents, particularly in residents with severe dementia. These results are relevant to the debate on optimal care in relation to curative or palliative treatment goals.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Predictors of short-term functional decline in survivors of nursing home-acquired lower respiratory tract infection.

BACKGROUND: Scant information exists about the risk of functional decline following treatment of acute illness in the nursing home (NH) setting. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of short-term (30-day) functional decline among survivors of NH-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and the factors that predict such decline, including the role of initial hospitalization. METHODS: We used a prospective cohort design to study 781 episodes of LRI in 1044 NH residents in 36 NHs in central Missouri and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Functional decline was defined as a 3-point increase on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) activities of daily living (ADL) long form scale. RESULTS: Of 781 LRI cases who survived to 30 days, the incidence of ADL decline was 28.8%. In a logistic regression model that used generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering, variables associated with ADL decline included the following: chronic feeding tube use (AOR = 4.54, 95% confidence interval, or CI, 1.61, 12.80), decubitus ulcer (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.29, 95% CI 1.35, 3.90), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.44, 3.30), short-term memory problems (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.33, 3.23), decline in self-performance of toilet use in the 24 hours prior to evaluation (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.29, 2.12), age (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.05), and baseline ADL score. Addition of treatment variables to the model showed that initial hospitalization was also associated with ADL decline (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.20, 3.00). Residents with ADL decline at 30 days were less likely to recover to their baseline ADL status at 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Many NH residents who survive to 30 days following LRI develop new functional limitations, and such individuals are at risk for ADL decline at 90 days. A limited number of clinical variables may predict short-term functional decline. Initial hospitalization for acute treatment of LRI may increase the risk of subsequent ADL decline among individuals who survive to 30 days.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Lower respiratory infections in nursing home residents with dementia: a tale of two countries.

PURPOSE: A focus on palliative care for residents with dementia is much more common in Dutch nursing homes than in the United States. We compared treatment and mortality in U.S. and Dutch nursing home residents with lower respiratory infections (LRI), which are often the immediate cause of death in dementia. DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied two prospective cohorts--a study of pneumonia (n = 706) conducted in 61 psychogeriatric nursing homes throughout the Netherlands and 701 subjects with likely dementia from a study of LRIs in 36 nursing homes in Missouri. RESULTS: Nursing home residents with dementia were more often treated without antibiotics in the Netherlands (23%) than in Missouri (15%). Indicators of severe illness operate in opposite directions: more severe illness is associated with antibiotic treatment in the United States, but with palliative treatment without antibiotics in the Netherlands. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings are consistent with others in indicating problems with transition to palliative care for U.S. nursing home residents with dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Geographic differences in semen quality of fertile U.S. males.

Although geographic variation in semen quality has been reported, this is the first study in the United States to compare semen quality among study centers using standardized methods and strict quality control. We evaluated semen specimens from partners of 512 pregnant women recruited through prenatal clinics in four U.S. cities during 1999-2001; 91% of men provided two specimens. Sperm concentration, semen volume, and motility were determined at the centers, and morphology was assessed at a central laboratory. Study protocols were identical across centers, and quality control was rigorously maintained. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in Columbia, Missouri, than in New York, New York; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Los Angeles, California. Mean counts were 58.7, 102.9, 98.6, and 80.8 X 10(6)/mL (medians 53.5, 88.5, 81.8, and 64.8 X 10(6)/mL) in Missouri, New York, Minnesota, and California, respectively. The total number of motile sperm was also lower in Missouri than in other centers: 113, 196, 201, and 162 X 10(6) in Missouri, New York, Minnesota, and California, respectively. Semen volume and the percent morphologically normal sperm did not differ appreciably among centers. These between-center differences remained significant in multivariate models that controlled for abstinence time, semen analysis time, age, race, smoking, history of sexually transmitted disease, and recent fever (all p-values < 0.01). Confounding factors and differences in study methods are unlikely to account for the lower semen quality seen in this mid-Missouri population. These data suggest that sperm concentration and motility may be reduced in semirural and agricultural areas relative to more urban and less agriculturally exposed areas.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Semen quality in relation to biomarkers of pesticide exposure.

We previously reported reduced sperm concentration and motility in fertile men in a U.S. agrarian area (Columbia, MO) relative to men from U.S. urban centers (Minneapolis, MN; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY). In the present study we address the hypothesis that pesticides currently used in agriculture in the Midwest contributed to these differences in semen quality. We selected men in whom all semen parameters (concentration, percentage sperm with normal morphology, and percentage motile sperm) were low (cases) and men in whom all semen parameters were within normal limits (controls) within Missouri and Minnesota (sample sizes of 50 and 36, respectively) and measured metabolites of eight current-use pesticides in urine samples provided at the time of semen collection. All pesticide analyses were conducted blind with respect to center and case-control status. Pesticide metabolite levels were elevated in Missouri cases, compared with controls, for the herbicides alachlor and atrazine and for the insecticide diazinon [2-isopropoxy-4-methyl-pyrimidinol (IMPY)]; for Wilcoxon rank test, p = 0.0007, 0.012, and 0.0004 for alachlor, atrazine, and IMPY, respectively. Men from Missouri with high levels of alachlor or IMPY were significantly more likely to be cases than were men with low levels [odds ratios (ORs) = 30.0 and 16.7 for alachlor and IMPY, respectively], as were men with atrazine levels higher than the limit of detection (OR = 11.3). The herbicides 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and metolachlor were also associated with poor semen quality in some analyses, whereas acetochlor levels were lower in cases than in controls (p = 0.04). No significant associations were seen for any pesticides within Minnesota, where levels of agricultural pesticides were low, or for the insect repellent DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or the malathion metabolite malathion dicarboxylic acid. These associations between current-use pesticides and reduced semen quality suggest that agricultural chemicals may have contributed to the reduction in semen quality in fertile men from mid-Missouri we reported previously.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Household composition and risk of fatal child maltreatment.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 2000 children die annually in the United States from maltreatment. Although maternal and child risk factors for child abuse have been identified, the role of household composition has not been well-established. Our objective was to evaluate household composition as a risk factor for fatal child maltreatment. METHODOLOGY: Population-based, case-control study using data from the Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel system, 1992-1994. Households were categorized based on adult residents' relationship to the deceased child. Cases were all maltreatment injury deaths among children <5 years old. Controls were randomly selected from natural-cause deaths during the same period and frequency-matched to cases on age. The main outcome measure was maltreatment death. RESULTS: Children residing in households with adults unrelated to them were 8 times more likely to die of maltreatment than children in households with 2 biological parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-21.5). Risk of maltreatment death also was elevated for children residing with step, foster, or adoptive parents (aOR: 4.7; 95% CI: 1.6-12.0), and in households with other adult relatives present (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). Risk of maltreatment death was not increased for children living with only 1 biological parent (aOR: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8-2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Children living in households with 1 or more male adults that are not related to them are at increased risk for maltreatment injury death. This risk is not elevated for children living with a single parent, as long as no other adults live in the home.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Intention-to-treat analysis: who is in? Who is out?

To assess whether the term "intention to treat" (ITT) predicts inclusion of all randomized subjects in the analysis, we reviewed 100 randomly selected reports of randomized trials that mentioned analysis by ITT. Only 42 of 100 reports included all randomized subjects in the ITT analysis. We could not determine which categories of participants were excluded from the ITT analysis in 13 trials. The most common categories of excluded subjects were patients who, after randomization, received no follow-up (16/100), received no treatment (14/100), or were found not to meet study entry criteria (12/100). We could determine the number of participants in the ITT analysis for 92 studies. Nineteen of the 92 studies excluded more than 5% of randomized participants, and 10 excluded more than 10%. There is considerable variation in how researchers define and apply the principle of intention to treat.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cost of treating pneumonia in the nursing home setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the costs of treating pneumonia in the nursing home setting and explore what factors are most responsible for that cost with a view to reducing cost. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-six Missouri nursing homes participating in the study from April 1997 through September 1998. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home residents with pneumonia who were not hospitalized (n = 502). We included residents evaluated in the emergency department (ED) and returned to the nursing home without admission. MEASUREMENTS: Residents were evaluated by project nurses. Examination findings, diagnostic testing, and treatment information for 30 days following evaluation were abstracted from medical records. Bills were obtained for individuals evaluated in the ED. RESULTS: There was significant variation in the cost of treating pneumonia in nursing homes. Episode costs were higher for residents seen in the ED of a hospital, residents with decubitus ulcers, black residents, and residents in larger facilities. Although total episode costs were related to illness severity, most of the variation in cost is not explained by resident or illness characteristics. The average cost for treating an episode of pneumonia in the nursing home, over and above usual care, was $458. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in treatment for residents with similar clinical presentations. For residents at low risk of mortality, using less expensive antibiotics and reducing ED evaluation could result in cost reductions, although the effect on outcomes is unknown.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibiotic treatment and survival of nursing home patients with lower respiratory tract infection: a cross-national analysis.

PURPOSE: Although lower respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of death in frail elderly patients, few studies have compared treatments and outcomes. We assessed the effects of different antibiotic treatment strategies on survival of elderly nursing home residents with lower respiratory tract infections in the United States and the Netherlands, where treatment approaches are quite different. METHODS: We combined data from 2 prospective cohort studies of lower respiratory tract infections conducted in 36 nursing homes in the United States and 61 in the Netherlands. We included residents whose infections were treated with antibiotics: 806 in the United States and 415 in the Netherlands. Outcome measures were 1-month and 3-month mortality. We used logistic regression to adjust for differing illness severity. RESULTS: Dutch residents had higher mortality than US residents (28.1% vs 15.1% at 1 month, respectively; P <.001). After adjusting for illness severity with logistic regression, the differences between the Dutch and US populations were not significant (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.90). Predicted mortality was overestimated for more severely ill US residents at 1 month but not at 3 months. No antibiotic regimen was consistently associated with increased or decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite differences in illness severity and treatment, adjusted mortality did not differ between the 2 countries. Although we cannot exclude a short-term survival benefit from more aggressive treatment in the United States, differences in baseline health appear prognostically more important than the type of antibiotic treatment.

Aged↗