Patients who undergo surgery in low-income countries are more likely to develop an infection than those in wealthier countries, which may be linked to the presence of drug-resistant bacteria, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
To determine infection rates across countries, researchers examined hospital records from 66 low-, middle- and high-income countries for over 12,000 patients undergoing surgery on their digestive system.
"Our study shows that low income countries carry a disproportionately high burden of infections linked to surgery," said study author Ewen Harrison, PhD. "We have also identified a potential link between these infections and antibiotic resistance. This is a major healthcare concern worldwide and this link should be investigated further."
Here are three findings from the study.
1. The study found patients in low-income countries used antibiotics more frequently and were more likely to be infected with bacteria that are resistant to medicines.
2. Additionally, patients in low-income nations were 60 percent more likely to have an infection in the weeks following an operation when compared to high- and middle-income nations.
3. Patients who developed a wound infection were more likely to die and infected patients stayed in the hospital three times longer. However, in these cases, the authors noted the infection was not necessarily the cause of death.