Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool

Purpose. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) is a growing concern, yet limited data exists to clarify which patients are at highest risk.  Identification of these patients may better inform decisions of those who may benefit from prophylactic intervention. The purpose of this study was...

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Main Authors: Bethanne P Carpenter, Erin K Hennessey, Alex M Bryant, Jad A Khoury, Andrew J Crannage
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2016-09-01
Series:Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Online Access:https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/jpps/index.php/JPPS/article/view/27905
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author Bethanne P Carpenter
Erin K Hennessey
Alex M Bryant
Jad A Khoury
Andrew J Crannage
author_facet Bethanne P Carpenter
Erin K Hennessey
Alex M Bryant
Jad A Khoury
Andrew J Crannage
author_sort Bethanne P Carpenter
collection DOAJ
description Purpose. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) is a growing concern, yet limited data exists to clarify which patients are at highest risk.  Identification of these patients may better inform decisions of those who may benefit from prophylactic intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors are associated with the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to develop a risk stratification tool.  Methods. Patients readmitted within 10 weeks of positive C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with symptoms were included in this retrospective case control study.  The primary outcome was analyzed via univariate regression analyses of the independent factors including age, gender, number of CDI episodes, administration of acid blocking agents, antibiotics or chemotherapy, Charlson Comorbidity Index, gastrointestinal conditions, and exposure to healthcare facilities.  Results. Recurrent CDI was identified in 44 of 220 included patients.  In the univariate analysis, factors associated with development of RCDI included antibiotic exposure (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.14-5.54; p 0.02) and inflammatory bowel disease (OR 5.77, 95% CI 1.24-26.79; p 0.03).  An evaluation tool was created from a well-fit model.  Additional factors included in the tool were chosen based on evaluation of findings from existing literature.  Conclusions. Antibiotic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease were found to be associated with RCDI.  Although a statistically significant association with RCDI was not found for other factors, this is likely related to small sample size.  The creation of an evaluation tool using specific patient factors can help determine the risk of RCDI, while future studies may validate this tool.   This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
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spelling doaj.art-b7af89edfff34058902921871f029c7d2023-08-02T06:23:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences1482-18262016-09-0119310.18433/J32S41Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation ToolBethanne P Carpenter0Erin K Hennessey1Alex M Bryant2Jad A Khoury3Andrew J Crannage4University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Purpose. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) is a growing concern, yet limited data exists to clarify which patients are at highest risk.  Identification of these patients may better inform decisions of those who may benefit from prophylactic intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors are associated with the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to develop a risk stratification tool.  Methods. Patients readmitted within 10 weeks of positive C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with symptoms were included in this retrospective case control study.  The primary outcome was analyzed via univariate regression analyses of the independent factors including age, gender, number of CDI episodes, administration of acid blocking agents, antibiotics or chemotherapy, Charlson Comorbidity Index, gastrointestinal conditions, and exposure to healthcare facilities.  Results. Recurrent CDI was identified in 44 of 220 included patients.  In the univariate analysis, factors associated with development of RCDI included antibiotic exposure (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.14-5.54; p 0.02) and inflammatory bowel disease (OR 5.77, 95% CI 1.24-26.79; p 0.03).  An evaluation tool was created from a well-fit model.  Additional factors included in the tool were chosen based on evaluation of findings from existing literature.  Conclusions. Antibiotic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease were found to be associated with RCDI.  Although a statistically significant association with RCDI was not found for other factors, this is likely related to small sample size.  The creation of an evaluation tool using specific patient factors can help determine the risk of RCDI, while future studies may validate this tool.   This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/jpps/index.php/JPPS/article/view/27905
spellingShingle Bethanne P Carpenter
Erin K Hennessey
Alex M Bryant
Jad A Khoury
Andrew J Crannage
Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
title Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
title_full Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
title_fullStr Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
title_full_unstemmed Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
title_short Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool
title_sort identification of factors impacting recurrent clostridium difficile infection and development of a risk evaluation tool
url https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/jpps/index.php/JPPS/article/view/27905
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