[Evaluation of etiology of infectious diseases in elderly patients admitted to the infectious ward of Imam Reza hospital]

ABSTRACT

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. 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. 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%. 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 reduced mortality in these patients