Table 1.
Clinical characteristics of 792 pneumococcal meningitis patients with and without CSF available
| Characteristics | Patients with CSF (n = 307) | Patients without CSF (n = 485) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (year) | 62 (51–70) | 61 (51–70) | 0.96 |
| Male | 142/307 (46) | 242/458 (53) | 0.32 |
| Duration of symptoms <24 h | 140/297 (47) | 233/464 (50) | 0.41 |
| Predisposing conditions | 202/307 (66) | 318/485 (66) | 0.95 |
| Otitis or sinusitis | 121/306 (40) | 205/483 (42) | 0.42 |
| Pneumonia | 28/298 (9) | 53/461 (11) | 0.36 |
| Immunocompromised | 96/307 (31) | 119/485 (25) | 0.04 |
| Symptoms and signs on presentation | a | d | |
| Headache | 221/267 (83) | 345/415 (83) | 0.90 |
| Neck stiffness | 224/297 (75) | 340/447 (76) | 0.84 |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 148 (130–169) | 145 (126–165) | 0.29 |
| Heart rate (bpm) | 100 (86–112) | 100 (88–115) | 0.78 |
| Body temperature (°C) | 39.0 (38.2–39.7) | 39.0 (38.0–39.7) | 0.26 |
| Score on Glascow Coma Scale | 10 (8–13)b | 10 (9–13)e | 0.70 |
| <8 indicating coma | 40/306 (13) | 80/483 (17) | 0.18 |
| Focal neurologic deficits | 90/306 (29) | 139/481 (29) | 0.88 |
| Indexes of CSF inflammation | c | f | |
| Opening pressure | 37 (27–43) | 35 (28–45) | 0.66 |
| White blood cell count (/mm3) | 2560 (460–6667) | 2567 (516–7048) | 0.60 |
| White blood cell count <1000/mm3 | 103/295 (35) | 153/465 (33) | 0.57 |
| Protein (g/l) | 4.1 (2.5–6.0) | 4.2 (2.5–6.2) | 0.61 |
| CSF blood glucose ratio | 0.02 (0.00–0.23) | 0.01 (0.00–0.16) | 0.06 |
| Positive blood culture | 215/267 (81) | 341/423 (81) | 0.98 |
| Score on Glasgow Outcome Scale | |||
| 1—death | 43/307 (14) | 101/485 (21) | 0.02 |
| 2—vegetative state | 0/307 (0) | 1/485 (0) | 0.43 |
| 3—severe disability | 14/307 (5) | 27/485 (6) | 0.53 |
| 4—moderate disability | 64/307 (21) | 77/485 (16) | 0.08 |
| 5—good recovery | 186/307 (61) | 279/485 (58) | 0.39 |
Data are number/number evaluated (percentage), and continuous data are mean ± SD
aSystolic blood pressure was evaluated in 301 patients, heart rate was evaluated in 298 patients, and temperature was evaluated in 304 patients
bScore on Glasgow Coma Scale was evaluated in 306 patients
cCSF opening pressure was evaluated in 76 patients, CSF white blood cell count was evaluated in 295 patients, CSF protein was evaluated in 293 patients, and CSF blood glucose ratio was evaluated in 288 patients
dSystolic blood pressure was evaluated in 477 patients, heart rate was evaluated in 472 patients, and temperature was evaluated in 478 patients
eScore on Glasgow Coma Scale was evaluated in 483 patients
fCSF opening pressure was evaluated in 89 patients, CSF white blood cell count was evaluated in 464 patients, CSF protein was evaluated in 464 patients, and CSF blood glucose ratio was evaluated in 456 patients