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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 9/2011

01-09-2011 | Original Article

Clostridium difficile Colitis: Factors Associated with Outcome and Assessment of Mortality at a National Level

Authors: David B. Stewart, Christopher S. Hollenbeak

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 9/2011

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Abstract

Background

Previous descriptions of Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) epidemics may overestimate cost and mortality of CDC.

Methods

An analysis of the 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed. Patients with CDC (N = 41,207) were compared to a propensity score-matched cohort of patients without CDC.

Results

Average length of stay was longer for CDC patients by 5 days (p < 0.001). Mortality was higher for the CDC cohort (9.4% vs. 8.6%; p < 0.001) though the absolute difference was small. Mean hospital costs were 56% higher for CDC patients (p < 0.001). Higher odds of death with CDC were associated with small hospitals and self-pay patients. Chronic renal failure and diabetes were associated with lower hospital costs and lower odds of death in the CDC cohort.

Conclusions

CDC is not as deadly of a disease as it may be perceived to be at larger hospitals, and mortality was actually unaffected by certain serious comorbidities. CDC is expensive due to a longer hospital stay.
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Metadata
Title
Clostridium difficile Colitis: Factors Associated with Outcome and Assessment of Mortality at a National Level
Authors
David B. Stewart
Christopher S. Hollenbeak
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 9/2011
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-011-1615-6

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