Résumé
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is associated with increased mortality and resources consumption in critically ill patients. However, the causality of AMR in this mortality remains unclear. This opinion paper aims to overview the effects of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens on the outcomes of critically ill patients, considering different variables as appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial therapy, severity of sepsis, comorbid conditions and frailty. Large studies based on national database associated MDR and increased mortality in critically ill patients. However, the patients carrying MDR pathogens, as compared with those carrying non-MDR pathogens, are those with co-morbid conditions, high risk of frailty and invasive procedures. In addition, inappropriate empirical antibiotics are more often used in these patients as well as withholding and withdrawing of life-sustained therapy. Future studies on AMR should report the rate of appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial therapy, withholding and withdrawing of life-sustained therapy.
•Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is associated with increased mortality and resources consumption in critically ill patients.•The goal of this review is to determine the effects of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens on the outcomes of critically ill patients, considering different variables as appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial therapy, severity of sepsis, comorbid conditions and frailty.•Old, frail and immunosuppressed patients are often repeatedly hospitalized and repeatedly exposed to antimicrobial treatments and invasive procedures. These factors are associated with an increased risk of developing infection with MDR pathogens.•At this time no clinical study has appropriately encompassed the full spectrum of variables that may affect this relationship, including all potentially involved bacterial and host characteristics.