Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2017 Dec;8(6):384-388. 10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.6.05.

Epidemiological Study on Candida Species in Patients with Cancer in the Intensive Care Unit

• Choi YJ
• Lee B
• Park SA

• KMID: 2402584
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.6.05

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Although cancer survival rates have increased, serious infection complications can arise in cancer patients. Candida can occur in various tissues and has significant effects on the prognosis of patients with cancer. Thus, we conducted an epidemiological study on Candida infections in patients with cancer admitted to the intensive care unit.
METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted in adult patients with cancer admitted to the intensive care unit between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. Candida infection status and predictive factors for mortality were examined in 634 patients.
RESULTS
The predictive factors for mortality included the use of steroids, use of a central venous catheter or mechanical ventilator, and identification of Candida in the blood. Patients who stayed in the surgical and intensive care unit for more than 7 days had a lower risk of death than that in those with shorter days.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows that invasive procedures, bloodstream infections, and the use of steroids increase the risk of mortality in Candida-infected patients with cancer. To improve the quality of life and reduce mortality, further studies are needed on the factors affecting the risk of mortality associated with Candida infection.

Keyword

neoplasms; Candida; infection; intensive care units

MeSH Terms

Adult
Candida*
Central Venous Catheters
Critical Care*
Epidemiologic Studies*
Humans
Intensive Care Units*
Mortality
Prognosis
Quality of Life
Retrospective Studies
Steroids
Survival Rate
Ventilators, Mechanical
Steroids