Burden of hospitalization of patients with Candida and Aspergillus infections in Australia

Objectives: This study examined the burden of hospitalization of patients with Aspergillus and Candida infections in Australia from 1995 to 1999. Methods: Data were extracted from the National Hospital Morbidity Database. A hospitalization with an aspergillosis diagnosis was defined as any discharge with a diagnosis of aspergillosis. A hospitalization with a candidiasis diagnosis was defined as any discharge with a diagnosis of disseminated, invasive, or non-invasive candidiasis. Outcome measures included number of hospitalizations, length of stay (LOS), cost (AUS$), and mortality. Results: 4583 hospitalizations with an aspergillosis diagnosis and 57,758 hospitalizations with a candidiasis diagnosis were identified. These hospitalizations were associated with a total of 813,398 hospital days, AUS$563 million in cost, and 4967 in-hospital deaths during the study period. The mean LOS for a hospitalization with an aspergillosis diagnosis was 12 days, cost AUS$9,334, and was associated with 8% mortality. For disseminated, invasive, and non-invasive candidiasis, the respective mean LOS were 31, 17, and 12 days; costs were AUS$33,274, AUS$12,954, and AUS$7,694; and mortality was 26%, 9%, and 8%. Conclusions: Hospitalizations with diagnoses for fungal infections were associated with lengthy hospital stays, high costs, and high mortality. (C) 2003 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.