Evaluation of Etiology of Infectious Diseases in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Infectious Ward of Imam Reza Hospital

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 AssociateProfessor of infectious diseases,MashhadUniversity of Medical Sciences,Mashhad,Iran

2 Medical Student,Mashhad Universityof Medical Sciences Mashhad,Iran

Abstract

Introduction
It is estimated that by the year 2050 about 20% of the world population are 65 years or older. Infections are cause of 30% of mortality in this age group. Impairment of Cellular and humoural immunity, reduced physiological reflex, increased prevalence of chronic diseases and so Forth are possible for increased frequency of infection in the elderly.
Materials and Methods
This descriptive study was performed on 272 elderly patients, admitted to the Infectious Diseases ward, Imam Reza hospital of Mashad, the most important clinical and paraclinical findings and final diagnosis were collected by SPSS and analyzed with T-Test,Chi-Square and Fisher,s Exact test.
Results
Approximately 31% of patients admitted during one year in infectious Diseases ward were old people .of these 53% were female and 47% were male. The most common complaints of patients were respiratory problems (45%) and the most common diagnosis was pneumonia (%43).AL together 39% of patients changed in mental status and 51% suffered a chronic medical disease. Mortality rate in patients was 19/5%.
Conclusion
Seems Infection to be one of the common causes of hospitalization in the elderly and despite amenity of modern methods and new antibiotics; it accompanies a high mortality rate in this age group. Attention to the danger signs and risk factors such as age ,decreased level of consciousness , immune deficiency and early treatment may reduce mortality in these patients.

Keywords


1- Kent B, Crossley C, Phillip K, Peterson P. Infections in the Elderly. In: Mandel G, Bennett J, Dolin R. Principles and
Practice of Infectious Disease. 7th ed. United state of America: Elsevier; 2010.p. 3857-3864.
2- Rhyne R, Roche R. infection in elderly. In: Britlman J, Quenzer R. Infectious Disease in Emergency Medicine. 2nd
ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott – Raven; 1998.p.291-316.
3- Htwe TH , Mushtaq A, Robinson SB, Rosher RB, Khardori K. Infection in the Elderly in.Infect Dis Clin North Am
2007; 21: 711-743.
4- Weels K.UTI May be Cause of Sudden Confusion in Elderly.2009.Available at:www.Suite101.com.
5- Weksler ME. The immune system and the aging process in man. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1980; 165:200-205.
6- Mahmodi V.Evaluation of etioulogic of state of abnormal consciousness in fevral elderly patientes admitted in
infectious ward in Imam Reza Hospital(2006).tez of specialist .Mashad Univ Med Sci 2007.
7- Sari-Aslani P. Evaluation of epidemiologic of infectious diseases in elderly patientes admitted in Sina Hospital in
Kermanshah in (1371-74).Kermanshah Univ Med Sci 1375.
8- Rasooli Negad M. Evaluation of etioulogic of fever in 101 elderly patientes admitted in Imam Khomeiny Hospital
.Tumj 1999; 3:41-43.
9- Nasiry-Onsorodi A. Evaluation of epidemiologic and clinical of infectious diseases in elderly patientes admitted in
BoAli Medical Center in1373.Shahid Beheshti Univ Med Sci 1997.
10- Asefzade S.Evaluation of routin infectious diseases in elderly patients admitted in infectious ward in BoAli
Hospital Ghazvin (2001-2002). Bumj 2006; 12:53-54.
11- Hasibi M. Evaluation relasionship between clinical, laboratory and CXR finding with mortality due to pnemonia in
elderly patients. Iran J Infect Dis Trop Med 2009; 36:49-52.
12- Falsey AR, Patricia A, Hennessey RN, Maria A, Formica MS, Christopher C.
 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Elderly and High-Risk Adults. N Engl J Med 2005; 352:1749-1759.
13- Wealshire, Lincolnshire. Elderly at increased risk for infection really depend on their caregiver.2010. Available
at: www.NURSE VIRGINIAblog.com.
14- Lavoie-Vaughan N. Spotting Infections in Your elderly Parents. 2008. Available at: http://intlxpart.wordpress.com.