FATAL-NSTI Study (Factors Associated With In-hospital mortALity in NSTI).

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are rare but potentially life-threatening infections involving the skin and underlying tissues such as fat, fascia, and sometimes muscle. They can progress rapidly and, despite modern antibiotics, surgery, and intensive care, are still associated with high in-hospital mortality. A major challenge in the management of NSTIs is early diagnosis. Initial signs and symptoms are often nonspecific and may resemble less severe soft tissue infections, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic delays. Once identified, treatment requires urgent surgery, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and close monitoring, frequently in an intensive care setting. Even with appropriate treatment, the clinical course of NSTIs is highly variable. Some patients recover, while others develop severe complications such as septic shock or multiple organ failure and may die during hospit