[Clostridium difficile infections in Spanish Internal Medicine departments during the period 2005-2010: the burden of the disease].

INTRODUCTION

Clostridium Difficile infection (CDI) is increasing in Spain. A review is presented of this infection in order to evaluate the burden of the disease in this country.

MATERIAL

An analytical retrospective and descriptive study was conducted by analyzing the Minimum Basic Data Set of patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments and with and without CDI between the years 2005-2010. Clinical and demographical variables were compared.

RESULTS

Mean age was 75.5 years (SD 15.4), 54.9% were women and mean stay was 22.2 days (SD 24.8). The Cost [(€ 5,001 (SD 4,985) vs [€ 3,934 (SD 2,738)] and diagnostic complexity [2.04 (SD 2.62) vs [1.67 (SD 1.47)] were also different. Mortality for all causes was 12.5% vs 9.8%. Death risk showed a 30% increase (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval;1.21-1.39) and readmission rate was 30.4% vs 13.5%. Distribution of cases showed season variations (more cases in winter), and annual incidence increased during the study period. Comorbidities associated to increased risk of acquiring CDI were: anemia, human immunodeficiency virus, dementia, malnutrition, chronic renal failure, and living in a nursing home.

CONCLUSION

The results showed a clear negative impact of CDI on hospital admissions. A trend towards progression in its incidence without changes in mortality or readmission rates was observed, in common with the rest of Europe and the Western World.