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Published on: July 1, 2020
Candiduria in those over 85 years old: a retrospective study of 73 patients
Thibaut Fraisse1, Julien Crouzet, Laurence Lachaud
1Department of Geriatrics, Ales Cevennes Hospital, France. tfraisse@yahoo.fr
Objective:
Candiduria is a common finding in the growing population of very old patients that has not been previously studied. The objective was to study candiduria in the population aged 85 and over, including an estimation of the incidence, factor of acquisition, and evaluation of treatment and mortality.
Methods:
Retrospective monocentric study. Materials medical charts of patients aged of 85 and over who have candiduria diagnosed at Nimes University Hospital.
Results:
The prevalence of candiduria in the hospitalized very old patients was 8.9%. More than half of strains isolated were C. albicans (59%). Mean age was 89.7 years old with 53 women and 20 men. Urinary catheter (55%) and prior antibiotic use (67%) were commonly found. Fifteen patients with candiduria were treated, consistently with fluconazole. Patients treated had higher Mini Mental Test score than the others. A high C-reactive protein level, Mac Cabe score or Charlson's score >7 were associated with 6 months mortality.
Conclusion:
Episodes of candiduria in oldest old were associated with frailty and vulnerability of the patient. The medical decision for antifungal treatment is usually difficult to make but it did not seem to influence mortality.
Insights
Candiduria (fungal urinary tract infection) in patients 85+ is common, linked to frailty. Antifungal treatment did not significantly impact mortality in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Candiduria is increasingly prevalent in the elderly population.
- Previous studies have not specifically focused on very old patients (85+).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate candiduria in patients aged 85 and over.
- To determine incidence, acquisition factors, treatment outcomes, and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective monocentric study.
- Analysis of medical charts from Nimes University Hospital.
- Inclusion of patients aged 85+ with diagnosed candiduria.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of candiduria was 8.9% in hospitalized very old patients.
- Candida albicans was the most common species (59%).
- Urinary catheter use (55%) and prior antibiotic use (67%) were frequent. High C-reactive protein, Mac Cabe, or Charlson's scores (>7) predicted mortality.
Conclusions:
- Candiduria in the oldest old is associated with patient frailty and vulnerability.
- Antifungal treatment decisions are complex and did not appear to influence mortality.
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