Prevalence of infectious disease and clinical outcome among people confined in Bangkok hospital for tropical diseases : a long-term elderly care

Abstract

Background: Infections are significant cause of morbidity and mortality through geriatric, and place a significant load on our health care system. Elderly residential home care is always fragile compared with their community, they are more sensitive to infections and associated consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to determine prevalence and outcome of infectious disease among people living hospital for tropical diseases long-term elderly care at The Hospital of Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: The medical records of geriatric febrile patients that admitted at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases from February 2016 to April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Average age of patients was 88 years. The total episode of infection occurred within this period was 77 times and prevalence of infections was 61/100-person year, the most common infection was respiratory tract infection with 61 times, followed by urinary tract infections 28 times, gastrointestinal tract infections 6 times and only 2 times of skin and soft tissue infections. Among all these elderly cases had co morbidities (66.2%) the most common one was arterial hypertension (48.1%). History of previous episode of infection was 54%. Significant clinical presentation was feverish (83%), Fever (body temperature greater than 37.5 Celsius) (49%), elevated total white blood cell count. None of patients were death. There are 9 cases with repeated episode of admission due to infection. Conclusion: High prevalence of infection were occurred. In person with extreme age, history of previous infection, feverish should have a special care to early detection and reduce infection.