Epidemiologic Trends in Infective Endocarditis

Long-term trend data from the U.K. suggest no effect of 2008 guideline changes on overall incidence of endocarditis and show increasing disease burden in the elderly.

While not demonstrated in research studies, concern is always present about the potential increase in infective endocarditis incidence secondary to the introduction in 2008 of more-stringent criteria for antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing endocarditis.

To examine recent epidemiologic trends in this infection, researchers analyzed linked healthcare and mortality surveillance data for all patients hospitalized with incident infective endocarditis in Scotland from 1990 to 2014. Results were as follows:

There were 7638 hospitalizations among 7513 patients (mean age, 65 years).
The crude hospitalization rate for incident infective endocarditis increased from 5.3/100,000 to 8.6/100,000 from 1990 to 1995 but then stabilized afterwards.
In patients …

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases