The Prognosis and Risk Factors of Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prognosis and risk factors of invasive fungal infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to the intensive care unit of one medical center.Methods: We retrospectively obtained clinical and laboratory data and the results of bacterial and invasive fungal infection analyses in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who were admitted to the intensive care unit of our medical center between 2005 and 2011.Results: A total of 32 patients were enrolled, 19 (59.3%) of whom had infections. Eight (25%) patients only had bacterial infections, and 11 (34.38%) had co-existing invasive fungal infections. The mortality rate from the co-existing invasive fungal infections was 81.8%. A low incidence of fever (36.36%) and low lymphocyte count (290.67 ± 293.89/mm^3) were the most common symptoms in the patients with coexisting invasive fungal infections. Other possible risk factors included oral candidiasis, renal replacement therapy and anemia.Conclusions: The mortality rate from the co-existing invasive fungal infections was high, and the risk factors were lower lymphocyte count and a lower fever response.