Prevalence and Risk Factors of Esophageal Candidiasis in Healthy Individuals: A Single Center Experience in Korea

• Published in: Yonsei medical journal Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 160 - 165
• Main Authors: Choi, Jae Hyeuk, Lee, Chang Geun, Lim, Yun Jeong, Kang, Hyoun Woo, Lim, Chi Yeon, Choi, Jong-Sun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Yonsei University College of Medicine 01.01.2013; 연세대학교의과대학
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Adult; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Candidiasis - diagnosis; Candidiasis - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; Esophageal Diseases - diagnosis; Esophageal Diseases - epidemiology; Esophagitis, Peptic - complications; Esophagitis, Peptic - diagnosis; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Prevalence; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; 의학일반; Republic of Korea
• ISSN: 0513-5796; 1976-2437; 1976-2437
• DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.160

Esophageal candidiasis (EC) is the most frequent opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised host. However, we have found EC in healthy individuals through esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for EC in healthy individuals. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 281 patients who had been incidentally diagnosed with EC. We also conducted age and sex matched case control study to identify the risk factor for EC. The prevalence of EC was 0.32% (281/88125). The most common coexisting EGD finding was reflux esophagitis (49/281, 17.4%). An antifungal agent was prescribed in about half of EC, 139 cases (49.5%). Follow-up EGD was undertaken in 83 cases (29.5%) and 20 cases of candidiasis was persistently found. Case control study revealed EC were more often found in user of antibiotics (p=0.015), corticosteroids (p=0.002) and herb medication (p=0.006) as well as heavy drinking (p<0.001). The prevalence of EC was 0.32% (281/88125) in Korea. Use of antibiotics, corticosteroids and herb as well as heavy drinking were significant risk factors for EC in healthy individuals.