Epidemiology of Febrile Diseases in the Emergency Department of a Caribbean Island: The Curacao Experience

Maarten Limper, I Gerstenbluth, AJ Duits, Eric van Gorp

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Abstract

Objective: The aetiology of febrile diseases in tropical countries often remains poorly characterized. We aim to describe the aetiology and outcome of febrile illnesses at the Emergency Department (ED) in Curacao. Methods: From April 2008 - April 2009, all adult febrile patients (T > 38.5 degrees C) at the ED of the St Elisabeth Hospital, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, were included. Clinical data were recorded, routine laboratory measurements and blood cultures were taken. Final diagnoses were made at discharge by an independent physician and in retrospect by the main investigator Results: Four hundred and three patients were included: 223 patients (55.6%) were hospitalized, 32 patients (7.9%) died and 18 patients (4.5%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. In 129 febrile patients (32.0%), infection was proven; 84.4% of patients had bacterial (29.0% urinary tract infection, 23.2% pneumonia infection), 5.6% viral and 10.0% parasitic or fungal infections. Twenty-one patients (5.2%) were discharged with a non-infectious diagnosis and 172 patients (42.7%) without a clear Conclusion: A high mortality rate of 7.9% was observed. We found a high prevalence of bacterial infections, with pneumonia and urinary tract infections as the most common causes of fever. One in 20 patients did not have an infectious disease.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)76-80
Number of pages5
JournalWest Indian Medical Journal
Volume61
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Research programs

  • EMC MM-04-27-01
  • EMC MM-04-28-04

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