Article

The present study compares the incidence of various infections among
patients in acute and rehabilitation wards and examines the risk factors and
pathogens involved in rehabilitation ward infections. The study included
341 acute stroke patients (age, >/=65 yrs). The assessment of risk factors was
done by comparison of patients with or without infection, urinary tract
infection, and pneumonia. Possible precipitating factors in each comparison were
included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-five (27.9%) patients
experienced infections, and the most common type in the rehabilitation ward was
urinary tract infection. The frequency of incidence of pneumonia in the
rehabilitation ward (6.7%) was significantly lower than in the acute ward (23.8%)
(P < 0.001). Patients with infection had a longer rehabilitation ward stay
compared with those without infection (30.9 vs. 18.8 days, P = 0.002). A postvoid
residual urine volume greater than 50 ml (odds ratio, 2.314; 95% CI, 1.204-4.448,
P = 0.012) was found to be the most important risk factor for infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Infection may prolong the length of stay in acute stroke patients in
a rehabilitation ward. The present study provides important information for
clinicians to help identify risk factors for infection.

Langue : ANGLAIS