Neuroinfectious diseases at a European neurological tertiary care center: one-third of patients require treatment in the neurological intensive care unit

Eur J Neurol. 2014 Dec;21(12):1500-3. doi: 10.1111/ene.12379. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Studies on the impact of infectious diseases affecting the nervous system are sparse.

Methods: All patients with neuroinfectious diseases (NIDs) who were treated at our Department of Neurology from 2005 until 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Patients with NIDs required treatment at the intensive care unit in 34.8%. The mortality rate of patients with NIDs was significantly higher than that of other inpatients with neurological diseases (5.1% vs. 3.0%, respectively, P = 0.018).

Conclusion: In summary, this study shows that patients with NIDs are severely ill and mortality is high.

Keywords: epidemiology; neuroinfectious diseases; outcome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Central Nervous System Infections / epidemiology*
  • Central Nervous System Infections / mortality
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tertiary Care Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult