Clostridium difficile Severity and Outcome at a North of Portugal Healthcare Facility

INTRODUCTION

Clostridium difficile infection has been increasingly reported, with a significant healthcare burden and important morbimortality. This study aimed to characterize and describe the severity and outcomes of this event at a Portuguese hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis, by clinical record review, of all confirmed cases diagnosed in a hospital in the North of Portugal, between January 2013 and December 2018. We included those who were non-pregnant and at least 18 years old.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven cases occurred, mostly in females and aged patients; 33.3% were healthcare facility-outset, while 31.6% were community-associated. Regarding severity, 43.9% had non-severe, while 29.8% severe and 21.0% fulminant presentations, the latter with the need of admission. Exposure to antibiotics occurred in 68.4%, while to proton-pump inhibitors in 57.9%. Risk factors for severe disease were female gender, chronic renal disease, and high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Moreover, renal disease and a higher ratio were associated with fulminant disease. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was found in 15.8% while 90-day in 28.1%. Risk factors for 30-day mortality were renal disease, higher Charlson score, and higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Risk factors for 90-day mortality were advanced age, previous antibiotic exposure, higher Charlson score, and higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

CONCLUSION

Data concerning Clostridium difficile infection severity and prognosis in Portugal is scarce, and future studies should focus on this important topic.

Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Portugal: A Retrospective, Observational Study of Hospitalized Patients

INTRODUCTION

Clostridioides difficile is the main cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea in Europe and North America. The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and clinical burden of Clostridioides difficile infection among hospitalized patients in Portugal.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study conducted in six public hospital centers in Portugal. All primary Clostridioides difficile infection episodes and related recurrences occurring in 2017, as well as episodes developing two to eight weeks after the last episode diagnosed in that year, were documented. The National Reference Laboratory (National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge) provided national surveillance data on Clostridioides difficile infection.

RESULTS

A total of 385 inpatients with at least one primary episode diagnosed in 2017 were included. Most patients were aged over 70 years-old (73.2%). The included patients developed 451 episodes during the observation period. Approximately 44% of primary episodes were community-associated. Most episodes (94.9%) occurred in patients with one or more risk factors, with recent antibiotic exposure being particularly common (86.0%). All-cause in-hospital mortality was 19.5%, being significantly higher in patients aged over 65 years-old versus those aged 18 to 64 years-old (22.4% vs 7.8%, respectively). Over 50 different ribotypes were observed among 206 Clostridioides difficile strains received by the National Reference Laboratory.

CONCLUSION

In Portugal, hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infection are mostly older patients presenting risk factors for the development of this infection, particularly recent antibiotic exposure. Mortality is disproportionately high among the older population. Community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection is common among inpatients with this infection.