Candidemia in Critically Ill Patients

Candidal sepsis (candidemia) is a criticals problem in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for candidemia in intensive care patients included age, presence of a central venous catheter, inpatient surgery, and administration of parenteral nutrition (TPN). Mortality in patients with candidemia is estimated at 50-60%. Early identification and treatment, including control of the source of infection, are essential to improve morbidity and mortality in these patients.

In this study, we would like to identify risk factors for the development of candidemia in intensive care patients, including those who have not undergone abdominal surgery, and to examine what percentage of patients who developed candidemia were given empirical antifungal therapy and what factors influenced the decision to give or not to give such empirical therapy.

Study design: A retrospective study based on data collection from computerized systems will include patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit from January 2014 to December 2024 and were diagnosed with Candida in at least one blood culture.