Oral candidosis in the elderly in long term hospital care

Abstract

A total of 137 patients in long term hospital care were interviewed and examined to determine the prevalence, nature and most important causes of oral candidosis in the hospitalized elderly. Oral candidal infection as determined by the imprint culture technique was present in 47% of patients with a further 31% being carriers of Candida. The prevalence of chronic atrophic candidosis in denture wearers was 38%, while 26% of all patients had angular cheilitis, 67% of which had an infective etiology. Microbiologic examination strongly indicated the upper denture as the major source of infection in those with dentures despite the existence of a ward policy which should have encouraged good oral and denture hygiene.