Frequency of Infection during Fever Episodes among Long-Term Care Residents

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Long-Term Care Medicine

Background:

• Limited empirical data exist on infection frequency during fever episodes in women within long-term care facilities.
• Fever is a common but often non-specific symptom in older adults, necessitating accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of infections associated with fever episodes in women residing in long-term care facilities.
• To provide data that can inform clinical assessment and management of fever in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A case-series analysis was conducted on women long-term care residents enrolled in a randomized trial.
• Fever episodes were identified through adverse event surveillance and assessed using established guidelines for older adults.
• Infections were classified using standardized surveillance definitions for long-term care residents.

Main Results:

• 123 fever episodes were identified in 80 women long-term care residents (median age 88 years; 81% with dementia).
• Of the 123 fever episodes, 79 (64%) met criteria for 86 total infections.
• The most common infections included lower respiratory tract infections (N=43) and pneumonia (N=27).

Conclusions:

• Approximately two-thirds of fever episodes in women long-term care residents are associated with infections.
• These findings highlight the significant role of infection in fever episodes within this demographic.
• The data can guide healthcare providers in evaluating and managing fever in older adult women in long-term care settings.