RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TEMPORARY CATHETER-RELATED INFECTION IN PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS TREATMENT

FACTORES DE RIESGO ASOCIADOS A LA INFECCIÓN DE CATÉTER PROVISORIO EN PACIENTES EN TRATAMIENTO DIALÍTICO

ABSTRACT

This study aims to identify risk factors associated with temporary hemodialysis catheter-related infection, in patients on dialysis treatment in a teaching hospital. This is a prospective study performed from November of 2012 to May of 2013, with 129 patients. Sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical data were collected from patient charts. In patients with a catheter,, 48.8% had catheter-related infection, 65% were male, 65% were 60 years of age or older, 85.3% had the catheter because they were diagnosed with acute renal failure, and 88% were hospitalized in an intensive care unit. There was a significant correlation between the independent variables and the outcome of infection. The risk factors associated with temporary hemodialysis catheter-related infection were: length of time of catheter use, the change of device, death, and complications during a hemodialysis session.

Risk factors; Catheter-related infections; Renal insufficiency; Renal dialysis

RESUMEN

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la infección de catéter provisorio para hemodiálisis en pacientes en tratamiento dialítico en un hospital escuela. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, realizado en el período entre noviembre de 2012 y mayo de 2013, con 129 pacientes. Fueron colectados: registros sociodemográficos, clínicos y bioquímicos de los participantes se obtuvieron de los registros médicos. Entre los pacientes que fueron sometidos a la implantación del catéter, el 48,8% presentaron infección relacionada con catéter, el 65% eran del sexo masculino, el 65% tenían edad igual a 60 años o más, el 85,3% utilizaron el catéter porque hubieran sido diagnosticados con insuficiencia renal aguda y el 88% fueron hospitalizados en la unidad de terapia intensiva. Hubo correlación significativa entre las variables independientes y el resultado infección. Los factores de riesgo asociados a la infección relacionada a la implantación del catéter temporal para hemodiálisis fueron: tiempo de permanencia del catéter, la troca del dispositivo, óbito y complicaciones durante la sesión de hemodiálisis.

Factores de riesgo; Infecciones relacionadas con cateteres; Insuficiencia renal; Diálisis renal

RESUMO

Este estudo objetivou identificar os fatores de risco associados à infecção de cateter provisório para hemodiálise em pacientes em tratamento dialítico em um hospital escola. Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, realizado no período de novembro de 2012 a maio de 2013, com 129 pacientes. Os dados sóciodemograficos, clínicos e bioquímicos dos participantes foram coletados dos prontuários. Entre os pacientes que foram submetidos à implantação do cateter, 48,8% apresentaram infecção relacionada ao cateter, 65% eram do sexo masculino, 65% possuíam idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, 85,3% utilizaram o cateter por terem sido diagnosticados com insuficiência renal aguda e 88% foram internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. Houve correlação significativa entre as variáveis independentes e o desfecho infecção. Os fatores de risco que se associaram à infecção relacionada à implantação do dispositivo foram: tempo de permanência do cateter, troca do dispositivo, óbito e intercorrências durante a sessão de hemodiálise.

Fatores de risco; Infecções relacionadas a cateter; Insuficiência renal; Diálise renal

INTRODUCTION

The number of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) has increased progressively and alarmingly in our country in recent years, associated with chronic diseases and the aging of the population itself.¹ This increased number of patients has required technological advances such as the modernization of hemodialysis machines and creation of new biomaterials. Dialysis has therefore become more effective and guarantees a greater quality of life, and life expectancy, to those with renal failure.² Temporary hemodialysis catheters have facilitated emergency access for patients requiring immediate hemodialysis.³ In addition, these devices have also been important in controlling morbidity and mortality, optimizing the treatment of patients with acute renal failure (ARF) without an available access for hemodialysis, or those with CRF who have lost their permanent access.

Studies show that vascular access for hemodialysis consist of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). When there are difficulties obtaining an AVF, the main alternative is the use a of double-lumen catheter (DLC).⁴ Despite being a safe option in emergency situations, unlike the permanent vascular access, temporary venous catheters have a high incidence of complications, such as infection, thrombosis, lower dwell time compared to other vascular accesses, and a lower blood flow rate, which reduces the effectiveness of hemodiaysis.^{5 - 6}

The temporary catheter is primarily responsible for about 48-73% of bacteremia occurring in patients on hemodialysis treament.⁷ The high incidence of intravenous line-related infections has stimulated the development of studies to determine the specific elements that cause this phenomenon because general factors such as clinical conditions, extremes of age and comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and malnutrition are already known.⁸ Risk factors for infection such as the colonization of the skin around the catheter insertion site and catheter contamination before and during its insertion as a result of lack of aseptic technique, and/or contamination due to manipulation of the catheter during dressing change has been investigated.⁹ Infection related to the environment where the hemodialysis sessions are performed have also been investigated because they occur simultaneously in one place, which facilitates the spread of microorganisms via direct or indirect contact, through devices, equipment, surfaces or hands of the heath care professionals.¹⁰

Considering the above and in view of the need for further information on the epidemiology of temporary hemodialysis catheter-related infections, we proposed this study to identify risk factors associated with these infections related to device implantation in patients on dialysis in a hospital school .

METHOD

This is a prospective epidemiological study developed with patients with temporary hemodialysis catheter admitted to a 250-bed teaching hospital in Londrina, northern Paraná. The inclusion criteria were: hospitalized patients submitted to implantation of a temporary polyurethane catheter, 18 years old or over, of both genders, with acute or chronic renal failure, between November 2012 and May 2013. Patients who had the hemodialysis changed, those who abandoned treatment or were discharged soon after implantation of the catheter and made follow-up impossible were excluded.

Data were collected from patients' charts by means of an instrument based on previous studies,^{3 , 11 - 12} with gender, age, ARF or CRF, inpatient unit, used access site, catheter dwell time, reason for catheter change, reason for catheter removal, complications, laboratory test results.

After filling out the data collection instrument, infection was defined as the outcome variable. The variables gender, age, acute or chronic renal failure, inpatient unit, site access used, catheter dwell time, reason for catheter change, reason for catheter removal and infectious complications were defined as independent variables. The records were entered and processed in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0. It was an intentional sample. Descriptive statistics was performed using frequencies, means and percentages. Data normality was evaluated through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Student's t test was used to determine whether there were differences in age and catheter dwell time between groups with or without infection. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant, with a 95% confidence interval. A logistic regression followed by the odds ratio test were used to assess the association between the outcome variable and the independent variables. The study was authorized by the Hospital Director Board, the Institutional Research Committee, and the Permanent Committee on Ethics in Research with human beings, protocol n.160.441/12 at the Universidade Estadual de Maringa, in line with Resolution no. 466/12 of the National Health Council, which establishes guidelines for research with human subjects.

RESULTS

During the study period, 129 patients were followed: 48.8% had a hemodialysis temporary catheter-related infection, 65% were male, 85.3% used the catheter due to a ARF diagnosis and 88% were in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Table 1 shows the characteristics of patients submitted to insertion of a hemodialysis temporary catheter, according to study variables and the occurrence of infection. It presents the risk factors associated with catheter infection according to the clinical and epidemiological variables of the study, which showed a statistical significance.

The Student's t test showed a significant correlation between infection and catheter dwell time (p=0.001), a mean of nine days of catheter dwell time in patients who developed an infection.

After applying the logistic regression test, followed by the odds ratio test, there was a statistically significant association between the reason for catheter change and infection, with a 10-fold greater chance of changing occurring due to infection than for any other reason. A great part of the reasons for catheter removal was death (54.17%). There was a correlation of the outcome death with infection.

Table 1
Distribution of patients submitted to hemodialysis temporary catheter insertion, according to the study variables and the occurrence of infection. Londrina-Paraná, Brazil, 2013

Table 2
- Factors associated with hemodialysis temporary catheter-infection, according to the clinical and epidemiological variables. Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, 2013

• *CAPD=Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

During the hemodialysis sessions, 15.5% of complications occurred in patients with catheterrelated infections, fever occurring in 84%, followed by bacteremia. A statistical significance was found between infection and complications, the chance of any complications occurring due to infection being five-fold greater than for other reasons (p=0.001).

Table 2 shows the risk factors associated with catheter infection according with the clinical and epidemiological study variables, which showed a statistical significance.

The Student's t test was used to assess the relationship between infection and age. There was no statistically significant correlation, since the mean age in the whole group submitted to catheter insertion was 61 years old, but only 33.3% of the sample with infection was older than 60 years.

As to the site of catheter insertion (Table 3), infection was more prevalent in the femoral region. However, after statistical analysis, there was no correlation between the catheter insertion site and the frequency of infection.

Table 3
- Profile of the catheter insertion according to location, dwell time and prevalence of infection. Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, 2013

Catheter insertion site (%)		Mean catheter dwell time (days)	Infection prevalence (%)
Subclavian	20.2	9.62	15.9
Jugular	16.3	8.73	15.9
Femoral	63.5*	9.30	68.3†

• Significant difference (p<0.05) compared to other insertion sites; † Significant difference (p<0.05) regarding the prevalence of infection.

After the odds ratio test, there was no statistical significance between gender and inpatient unit, the occurrence of infection being independent of gender and inpatient sector.

DISCUSSION

In the past, the infection rate was an exclusive concern of hospital infection control committees (HICC), which, in most cases, instituted prevention and control programs.¹³ Currently, this indicator is useful not only for directing the HICC actions, but also because it represents a major indicator of quality of care in the health care services.¹⁴

The patient severity and the greater frequency of invasive procedures are part of the factors that make hospital infection an important variable in the ICU. From the ICUs, microorganisms can spread to other units, either due to patient transfer or staff change.¹⁵ In this study, most of the infected patients were male and were hospitalized in the ICU, characteristics that are similar to the results of other studies.^{16 - 17}

The superiority of the hemodialysis temporary catheter insertion due to ARF was about five-fold higher compared with CRF, which was also observed in other studies.^{18 - 19} This is possibly caused by the delay in the referral of these patients to the nephrologist, with a need for emergency hemodialysis and cases of ARF that is secondary to other diseases.

The high incidence of ARF and its complications and the multiple invasive procedures imply the need to hospitalize patients in the ICUs, predisposing them to greater risks of infection, mainly by multirresistent microorganisms.²⁰ The results showed that most patients were in the ICU. Another study also found that patients in the ICU when compared to the other units are five to ten-fold more likely to acquire health care-related infections.²¹ In this study, the statistical analysis did not show a significant association between infection and inpatient units.

Regarding the catheter dwell time, the literature recommends a temporary use for a maximum of three weeks,²² due to the high infection rates in patients with ARF.²³Moreover, prolonged use of central venous catheters increases the risk of current blood infections.^{24 - 25} The results showed a statistically significant relationship between the catheter dwell time with the presence of infection.

Even after the multivariate logistic regression, the association between mortality and development of infection is not common sense in the literature.²⁶ This study found a high rate of deaths of patients with the temporary catheter, but the use of the device was not declared as causa mortis on death certificates. Therefore, the deaths were not specifically related to the catheter insertion.

The complications during the hemodialysis sessions were relevant when related to infection, fever being the most prevalent, followed by bacteremia. The literature reports that patients using temporary catheters have about 4 to 18% of bacteremia rates comprising eight thousand average annual cases of sepsis and other device-related infections.²⁷

As for insertion site, the jugular, subclavian and femoral veins were used. The literature describes the jugular vein is the favorite access. It is also a way to prevent stenosis of the subclavian vein and enable the subsequent production of the arteriovenous fistula.²⁸ Another author, however, states that catheters inserted in the jugular vein when compared to the subclavian vein, caused a 56% greater chance of a catheter-related infection.¹² These results differ from our findings, which showed that the most frequently used site was the femoral region, and that there was no statistically significant relationship between infection and the insertion site of the device. The fact should also be considered that most of the patients were in the ICU using central venous catheters for drug therapy, previously inserted into the jugular and subclavian region, and the femoral region is preferred by medical residents, because it is a faster and easier region to insert the catheter.

CONCLUSION

There was a correlation between some independent variables and the outcome infection, but several other factors can contribute to the development of infection, mainly because most of the studied patients were admitted to the ICU in a severe condition and several other comorbidities.

It was found in this study that the variables catheter dwell time, reason for catheter change and complications during the hemodialysis session were the risk factors associated with infection related to the insertion of a hemodialysis temporary catheter. The identification and control of these risk factors are essential in preventing infection in patients with temporary catheter and should be included in the teaching content by means of technical training of health care professionals and the consequent contribution to the decrease in hospitalization rates and mortality due to complications from procedures related to the temporary catheter.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  July-Sep 2015

History

• Received
  30 Mar 2014
• Accepted
  02 Oct 2014