Effects of candiduria-candidemia infections on mortality and morbidity in the ICU and the risk factors of these infections

Objective

Yeast infections have increasing importance among ICU infections. Candida species have been raised to the fourth most frequently seen ICU infections. Among Candida species, Candida albicans is the most frequently seen yeast infection. We aimed to investigate the candidemia-candiduria ratio, their risk factors, and their mortality and morbidity in ICU patients.

Methods

Intensive care medical records of 935 patients who attended an ICU between 2002 and 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The risk factors, mortality and morbidity of candiduria-candidemia infections were assessed.

Results

Candida infections developed in 28 of all patients (Table 1). The ratio of candidemia/yeast infection was 32%. Risk factors of Candida infections are presented in Table 2. Even though the mortality ratio of ICU was 39.4%, it was found to be 57.9% in candiduria and 66.7% in candidemia.

Table 1

Table 2

Conclusion

We found high mortality and morbidity in Candida infections, and there was a relationship between high APACHE II scores, long ICU stay, long mechanical ventilator time, numbers of antibiotics, TPN application, and days of invasive catheter use.