Risk factors for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among nursing home residents

Risk factors predictive of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRS A) colonization in 786 of 910 nursing home residents were evaluated. A cust omized questionnaire was completed by the residents, who were screened for MRSA. The risk factors significantly associated with MRSA colonization were male ses, age >80 years, residence in the nursing home for < six months, h ospitalization during the previous 6 months, peripheral vascular disease, p ressure sores, steroid therapy poor general skin condition, antibiotic ther apy during the previous three months and a mental test score of less than o r equal to 14. Multivariate analysis identified male sex and pressure sores as independent variables. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.