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Open AccessArticle10.1016/j.jcgg.2015.06.003

Evaluation of advanced age as a risk factor for severe Clostridium difficile infection

Ursula Patel,Jeffrey T. Wieczorkiewicz,Jerry Tuazon-2015-07-23-Journal of Clinical Gerontology and Geriatrics
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TL;DRAbstract

Although advanced age has been associated with the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), its relationship with disease severity remains inconclusive. The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors, specifically advanced age, which may be associated with the acquisition of severe CDI. A retrospective chart review at a Veterans Affairs Hospital was conducted on hospitalized veterans aged ≥ 18 years with a positive stool toxin assay for Clostridium difficile between May 2008 and September 2012 (n = 224). One hundred and sixty-one (72%) patients were in the mild–moderate infection group and 63 (28%) patients in the severe infection group. The primary outcome was to determine the effect of advanced age (≥70 years old) on the acquisition of severe CDI. The secondary outcome was to identify other potential risk factors for severe CDI. Disease severity was classified according to the criteria established in the 2010 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infecti

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Although advanced age has been associated with the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), its relationship with disease severity remains inconclusive. The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors, specifically advanced age, which may be associated with the acquisition of severe CDI. A retrospective chart review at a Veterans Affairs Hospital was conducted on hospitalized veterans aged ≥ 18 years with a positive stool toxin assay for Clostridium difficile between May 2008 and September 2012 (n = 224). One hundred and sixty-one (72%) patients were in the mild–moderate infection group and 63 (28%) patients in the severe infection group. The primary outcome was to determine the effect of advanced age (≥70 years old) on the acquisition of severe CDI. The secondary outcome was to identify other potential risk factors for severe CDI. Disease severity was classified according to the criteria established in the 2010 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infecti

Keywords

MedicineClostridium difficileLogistic regressionOdds ratioInternal medicineConfidence intervalIncidence (geometry)Epidemiology

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