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09:12
A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome in Clostridium Difficile Infections Predict Mortality
Aleksandra Młodożeniec1, Martyna Mendyka1, Anna Watras1
1Clinic of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Endocrinology with Nuclear Medicine Laboratory and Dialysis Center, State Hospital 2, Rzeszów, Poland.
Journal of Global Infectious Diseases
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) affects 71.7% of hospitalized patients with Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). Low FT3 levels in CDI patients with NTIS predict mortality, highlighting its role in clinical assessment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality.
- Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), characterized by altered thyroid hormone levels, is frequently observed in critically ill patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of NTIS in hospitalized patients diagnosed with CDI.
- To investigate the impact of NTIS on hospitalization duration and patient survival in CDI cases.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective single-center study analyzed data from 370 patients with confirmed CDI between January 2015 and April 2024.
- Demographic, laboratory, comorbidity, treatment, and outcome data were collected and compared between patients with NTIS and euthyroidism, and between survivors and non-survivors.
- Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square test.
Main Results:
- Of 113 included patients, 81 (71.7%) had CDI with NTIS. The median age was 82 years, with 51.8% females.
- NTIS was significantly associated with a 3.7-fold higher risk of death compared to euthyroidism (OR = 3.70, P = 0.036).
- Lower serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were significantly correlated with increased mortality (P = 0.035).
Conclusions:
- Low serum FT3 levels are an independent marker of clinical deterioration in CDI patients.
- FT3 levels can serve as a predictor of mortality in hospitalized patients with CDI.
- Incorporating FT3 assessment may enhance prognostic evaluations for CDI patients.
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