POST-STROKE INFECTIONS IN ADULTS

Abstract

Infections are very common complication after stroke. The most common post-stroke infections are respiratory and urinary tract infections. Factors such as age, sex, duration of hospitalization, comorbidities such as heart failure and medical interventions such as placement of urinary catheter or central venous line are related to infections after stroke. In our retrospective study, the first 100 patients admitted to the 1st Internal Medicine Clinic of 424 General Military Training Hospital from January 2013 to May 2018 were studied. Patients with ischemic or transient ischemic stroke who developed infection after their first 72 hours of hospitalization were included in the study. Τhe results of the study showed that the incidence of infection is estimated to be 45%, with pneumonia at 21% and urinary tract infection at 18%. Soft tissue infections, abdominal infections and unspecified infections were found to be less frequent (2%). Length of hospitalization (p = 0.001), urinary catheter placement after admission (p < 0.001), and heart failure (p = 0.047) seem to increase the development of an infection. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that urinary catheter placement (OR 3.398, 95% Cl 1.212 – 9.527, p = 0.020) and length of hospitalization (OR 1.137.95% Cl 1.024 – 1.261, p = 0.016) were associated with a significantly, increased risk of infection. Mortality rate after stroke was estimated at 7%. It is suggested that an indwelling urinary catheter after stroke should be placed only with clear indications and should be removed as soon as possible. More studies are recommended on the prevention of post-stroke infections in order to draw more accurate results.