Risk Factors for Developing Candidemia after Gastrointestinal Perforation and/or Ischemia and Its Outcomes: A Matched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Candidemia is a serious complication after gastrointestinal (GI) perforation and/or ischemia, yet most evidence pools candidemia with intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC). We sought candidemia-specific risk factors after GI perforation and/or ischemia and evaluated associated outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective matched case-control study of adults undergoing emergency surgical procedure for GI perforation and/or ischemia and admitted to a surgical intensive care unit. Cases with candidemia during index admission were matched 4:1 to controls by age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and surgical procedure year. Conditional logistic regression assessed pre-specified risk factors, and exploratory outcomes included mortality, length of stay, and days on invasive ventilation.

RESULTS

Twenty-four cases were matched to 99 controls. Factors identified to be independently associated with candidemia include the presence of IAC (adjusted OR [aOR]: 5.51, 95% CI: 1.61, 18.89; p = 0.007), upper GI injury (aOR: 4.28, 95% CI: 1.52-12.08; p = 0.006), and diffuse intra-abdominal contamination, compared with contained/none (aOR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.06-9.74; p = 0.040). Among candidemia cases, species distribution was Candida albicans 41.7%, C. glabrata 33.3%, C. parapsilosis 12.5%, with single cases of C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. dubliniensis. Candidemia was associated with a longer hospital length of stay (+13.97 d; 95% CI: 0.90-27.04; p = 0.036), without significant differences in ICU stay, duration of invasive ventilation, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

After GI perforation and/or ischemia, the risk of candidemia is highest in patients with upper GI injury and diffuse contamination, independent of IAC. These readily identifiable operative features may guide targeted surveillance and selective early antifungal strategies. Prospective validation is warranted.