Risk factors for candidemia in non-neutropenic critical patients in Colombia

Abstract

ObjectivesDue to the increase in isolation of Candida spp. in critically ill patients, and the high mortality and economic costs which this infection entails, a study was made of the risk factors associated to candidemia in critically ill patients from 7 intensive care units in Colombia. Materials and methodsA multicenter matched case–control study was conducted in 7 intensive care units of 3 university hospitals. Data on overall length of hospital stay (including both general wards and the intensive care unit) were recorded. ResultsA total of 243 subjects (81 cases and 162 controls) between January 2008 and December 2012 were included. In order of frequency, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were isolated. The main identified risk factors were: overall length of hospital stay >25 days (OR 5.33, 95%CI 2.6–10.9), use of meropenem (OR 3.75, 95%CI 1.86–7.5), abdominal surgery (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.39–6.06) and hemodialysis (OR 3.35, 95%CI 1.5–7.7). No differences in mortality between patients with candidemia and controls were found (39.5 versus 36.5%, respectively; p=0.66). ConclusionsIn Colombia, a long hospital stay, abdominal surgery, the use of meropenem and hemodialysis were identified as risk factors for candidemia.