LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Risk factors for candidemia in the internal medicine wards (IMW) are poorly characterized. Their elucidation might assist in early diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVES We aimed to elucidate predictors of candidemia in the IMWs comparing them to patients with gram-negative bacteremia (GNB). METHODS A retrospective study of consecutive patients with candidemia in IMWs in Beilinson hospital (2007-2016) was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics were documented. The comparator group was GNB patients. RESULTS Sixty-two patients with candidemia were compared with 178 patients with GNB. Candidemic patients were younger and with less body mass index > 20 kg/m2 (73 ± 15 vs. 78 ± 10, P = 0.01; 44% vs. 60%, P = <0.0001,respectively). In multivariate model, underweight, prior cephalosporin use, and central venous catheters (CVCs) were significantly associated with candidemia [odds ratio (OR) = 0.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.4; OR = 4, 95% CI 1.3-11; and OR = 4, 95% CI 1.5-12, respectively]. CONCLUSION Underweight, recent cephalosporin exposure, and CVCs were statistically significant predictors of candidemia in the IMW. Using these predictors might aid in recognizing high-risk patients for candidemia in the IMWs, leading to earlier appropriate empirical treatment.