[Clinical analysis of the factors related to diarrhea in intensive care unit].

Objective: To assess the causative factors of diarrhea in intensive care unit(ICU) patients for the purpose of providing a scientific basis for the treatment regime.

Methods: The factors related to diarrhea in patients in the ICU of Liaocheng People's Hospital were studied by analyzing the features of 86 patients who developed diarrhea among 735 patients admitted in 2 years (from January 2001 to December 2002).

Results: Among the total of 86 patients(11.70%) who had developed diarrhea, 51 had received enteral nutrition improperly, accounting for 59.30%; 18 patients had suffered from intestinal tract infection, accounting for 20.93%. In 15 patients diarrhea occurred after the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, accounting for 17.44%. In 11 patients it was due to the use of drugs which enhanced motility of gastrointestinal tract, and this accounted for 12.79%. Finally, in 5 patients, diarrhea was thought to be related to the mechanical ventilation, and it accounted for 5.81%. The mean age of the patients was (57.71+/-13.40) years, the average acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) was (21.51+/-4.90)scores, and the mean length of staying in the ICU was (8.0+/-1.2) days, which was longer than that of patients without the complication of diarrhea ((51.20+/-11.31)years, (12.01+/-1.20) scores, (4.0+/-1.0) days respectively, all P<0.01). The pathogenic factors related to diarrhea complicating ICU patients seemed to be different from that in other patients.

Conclusion: The causative factors of diarrhea in ICU patients appear to be different from that in other patients, and special attention should be given in order to avoid it.