Infectious Disease Hospitalizations Among Older Adults in the United States From 1990 Through 2002

Abstract

The hospitalization rate for IDs increased slightly among the older adult US population during the 13-year study and was associated with the aging of the older adult population. The reduction of ID hospitalization rates among older adults could help attenuate the anticipated increase in the number of hospitalizations among older adults and should be a high priority given the projected population growth among older adults in the United States.

Infectious Disease Hospitalizations Among Infants in the United States

“…In addition to overall primary ID analyses, selected subgroups were examined. 18 The following ID groups were used for subgroup-specific analysis: tuberculosis (codes 010 -018 and 137); meningitis (codes 027.0, 036, 320.0 -321. 3 We examined first-listed ID hospitalization records according to age group (neonates: Ͻ1 month of age; postneonates: 1-11 months of age), gender and race/ ethnicity of the patient, outcome (discharged or died during hospitalization), region of hospital location (standard census regions of Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), admission month, hospital size (small: 1-49 beds for rural hospitals, 1-99 beds for urban nonteaching hospitals, and 1-299 beds for urban teaching hospitals; medium: 50 -99 beds for rural hospitals, 100 -199 beds for urban nonteaching hospitals, and 300 -499 beds for urban teaching hospitals; large: Ն100 beds for rural hospitals, Ն200 beds for urban nonteaching hospitals, and Ն500 beds for urban teaching hospitals), median household income for the patient's zip code of residence ($1-$35 999, $36 000 -$44 999, $45 000 -$59 999, or $60 000 or more), and expected primary payer (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance including health maintenance organizations, self-pay, no charge, or other).…”

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Urinary Tract Infection in Older Adults

“…UTI is the second most common cause of infectious disease hospitalization in adults 65 years or older after lower respiratory tract infections [18]. In 1998, UTI was the most costly and resource-intensive condition, causing more than 1.8 million physician office visits among Medicare beneficiaries.…”

Bacteruria and Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly

“…UTIs are responsible for 15.5% of infectious disease hospitalizations in adults aged 65 or older, second only to pneumonia, and they are responsible for 6.2% of infectious diseaserelated deaths. 1 Despite their frequency, differentiating between ASB and true UTI remains controversial among health care providers. In light of emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens, this distinction has become increasingly important, because although symptomatic UTI requires appropriate antibiotic therapy, ASB does not.…”