Risk Factors and Outcomes of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Respiratory Intensive Care Unit Patients

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) poses a significant threat to patients in intensive care settings.
• Understanding risk factors and outcomes in specific ICUs, like respiratory intensive care units (RICUs), is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors associated with CDI development in critically ill RICU patients.
• To evaluate the clinical outcomes, including mortality and length of stay, for RICU patients with CDI.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study design was employed, enrolling adult patients admitted to the RICU who developed diarrhea.
• Patients were categorized into CDI and Clostridioides difficile-negative diarrhea (CDN) groups based on toxin testing.
• Risk factors and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups using statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• The incidence of CDI in the RICU population was 8.3%.
• Male sex was identified as an independent risk factor for CDI (OR, 4.07).
• CDI patients experienced significantly longer RICU stays (median 32 vs. 21.5 days) but showed no significant difference in 60-day mortality compared to CDN patients.

Conclusions:

• Male sex is an independent risk factor for CDI in critically ill patients within a RICU.
• CDI is associated with prolonged hospitalization in the RICU, even without a significant increase in 60-day mortality.
• Further research may explore targeted prevention strategies for male patients in RICUs.