Excess mortality, length of stay and cost attributable to candidaemia

There were 1967 reports of Candida species isolated from blood specimens in 2007 in the UK (excluding Scotland). Such infections are particularly common in the intensive care unit (ICU). The impact of candidaemia on mortality, length of stay (LOS) and cost in a UK hospital was examined.

A retrospective analysis of candidaemia episodes and appropriate matched controls was undertaken based on data from the ICU, high dependency units and hospital wards at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. The study covered the period November 2003-February 2007.

In total, 48 case-patients of candidaemia and 81 control-patients were identified. The attributable mortality due to candidaemia varied from 21.5% to 34.7%. Candidaemia patients spend on average 5.6 days more in the ICU than matched patients and generate mean additional costs of at least 8252 UK pounds per patient, 16,595 pounds in adults only.

Candidaemia remains a severe disease associated with high attributable mortality in the UK. In addition, candidaemia leads to additional ICU length of stay and costs. The implication is an attributable cost of at least 16.2 million UK pounds with 683 deaths attributable to candidaemia per year in the UK.