Predictors of serious complications due to Clostridium difficile infection

Identifying individuals with severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at risk for major complications has become an important objective. Presence of clinical variables that predict complications from CDI would have the potential to strongly influence management.

To determine which clinical variables predict complications from CDI.

Cross-sectional study of all individuals admitted to Temple University Hospital between 12/1/03 and 7/1/08 with the primary discharge diagnosis of CDI were eligible. Only patients experiencing their first episode of CDI were included. Abstracted data included demographic, physiological, laboratory, radiological, endoscopic, pharmacy and outcome data. Response was categorized as none, partial or complete. Complications attributed to CDI were defined as colon resection or death.

Overall 32 of 200 patients (16%) experienced a complication due to CDI including death (n = 20) and colectomy (n = 12). White blood cell count above 30,000 cells/mm(3) (OR = 4.06; 95% CI, 1.28-12.87) and a rise in the creatinine to over 50% above baseline (OR = 7.13; 95% CI, 3.05-16.68) predicted a complication. AROC for percent rise in serum creatinine was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.85) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.58-0.80) for white blood cell count.

Severe white blood cell count elevation and a rise in the creatinine to over 50% above baseline are important independent predictors of serious adverse events due to CDI. These patients likely would benefit from more intensive care and early surgical consultation.