The evaluation of geriatric infections: Dicle experience [Geri?atri?k i?nfeksi?yonlarin de?erlendi?ri? lmesi?: Di?cle deneyi?mi?]

• Objective: Although successes have been achieved in the treatment of the infectious diseases with antibiotics in nowadays, infectious diseases are still serious problem in the elderly. This study was conducted in order to determine the pattern of clinical infectious diseases in hospitalized elderly patients. • Material and Method: In this study, the data of all elderly patients aged 65 and older, were hospitalized to our clinic between May 2000 and May 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. We reviewed 301 patients for diagnostic studies, risk factors, isolated microorganisms and morbidity and mortality rates. • Results: Infections as a cause of hospitalization were identified as the following frequency; sepsis (19.2%), pneumonia (17.9%), acute gastroenteritis (16.9%), acute bacterial meningitis (5.3%) and urinary tract infection (3.6%), respectively. E. coli was the most isolated microorganism in these patients. Hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes were seen as risk factors in our patients. Seventy-three patients died during hospital stay due to their infection and chronic diseases. • Conclusion: Under diagnosis of the elderly diseases is very common due to many factors related to elderly, family members and health workers. Prognosis is rather worse especially in sepsis due to pneumonia and urinary tract infections.