TABLE 3.

Multivariate linear regression model of factors affecting time from hospital admission to first positive blood culture.

Covariate	B coefficient	B coefficient, 95% CI		P-value
		Lower limit	Upper limit
Age ≥ 65	–6.193	–12.909	0.524	0.070
Systemic steroids within 48 h from admission	–9.552	–15.973	–3.131	0.004
ICU	–2.672	–10.114	4.770	0.476
Antibiotics within 48 h from admission	5.268	–1.127	11.664	0.105
Male sex	–6.719	–13.609	0.171	0.056
Presence of comorbidities	–1.423	–7.462	4.615	0.639

CI, confidence interval; ICU, intensive care unit. Comorbidities: any of the following: diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, renal failure, neoplastic diseases.