Authors
Abstract
Background: Understanding the epidemiology and main leading factors of endocarditis, accelerate the process of diagnosis and treatment, and reduce mortality from this disease. This study was performed due to uncertain epidemiological situation of endocarditis in different parts of Iran, especially city of Qom.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, epidemiological status of hospitalized patients with endocarditis in Qom city hospitals between 2004-2013 was reviewed. In this study, 74 patients who had duke criteria for infective endocarditis, were studied. Demographic data and the disease information were recorded on a Check list. Data collection method was the patients' hospital records. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.
Results: In this study, 74 patients, including 49 males and 25 females were studied. The patients' mean age ± SD was 28 ± 15/78. According to information obtained, age range 20-23 years with 29 patients (39/1%), was the most affected. The most common cause of hospital admission was fever with 80% (59 patients). Tricuspid valve involvement was 67.5% (29 patients). The most common underlying disease was heart diseases by as much as 44/5% (33 patients). 42/4 % (14 patients) had a history of mitral valve replacement. Among those who had positive cultures, 85/7% (12 patients) Staphylococcus aureus, and 14/2% (2 paients) Klebsiella were reported. Mortality rate was 7.5%.
Conclusion: Fever, if accompanied with a heart murmur, or a history of mitral valve replacement in young men who have had a history of intravenous drug abuse, strongly suspected endocarditis.
Keywords
)