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Hospital patients

Global Nosocomial Infections: Antimicrobial Resistance Highly Prevalent in Hospitals

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a recent global systematic review and meta-analysis of over 20,000 patients, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is highly prevalent within hospital settings and associated with increased in-hospital mortality worldwide. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Leicester, aimed to quantify the prevalence and risk of mortality associated with AMR in hospitalized patients compared to those with infections not classified as AMR.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pooled prevalence of AMR in hospitalized patients was 36.5% (95% CI: 29%-44%), indicating a high prevalence of AMR globally.
  • AMR was associated with a 64% increased risk of mortality (unadjusted pooled risk ratio [RR]: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.37-1.97) and a 58% increased risk of mortality after adjusting for confounders (adjusted pooled RR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.33-1.87).
  • The study identified a significant publication bias in estimates of both prevalence and mortality, which could have led to an underestimation of the true effect of AMR on mortality.
  • No data was identified from the Indian subcontinent, African subcontinent, Middle East, and Russia, highlighting a significant gap in research in these regions.
  • The study suggests that further research is required, particularly in underrepresented regions, to inform interventions aimed at reducing both AMR transmission and its related mortality within hospital settings.

Statistics:

  • Pooled prevalence of AMR in hospitalized patients: 36.5% (95% CI: 29%-44%)
  • Unadjusted pooled risk ratio (RR) of mortality associated with AMR: 1.64 (95% CI: 1.37-1.97)
  • Adjusted pooled RR of mortality associated with AMR: 1.58 (95% CI: 1.33-1.87)
  • Number of studies included in the meta-analysis: 34
  • Number of patients with resistant organisms: 20,658
  • Number of countries represented in the study: 18

Sources:

  • The prevalence and risk of mortality associated with antimicrobial resistance within nosocomial settings-a global systematic review and meta-analysis of over 20,000 patients. eClinicalMedicine, 2025;87:103384
  • NewsRx. Researchers at University of Leicester Report Findings in Nosocomial Infections (The prevalence and risk of mortality associated with antimicrobial resistance within nosocomial settings-a global systematic review and meta-analysis of over ...). Health & Medicine Week. October 24, 2025; p 6044.

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