Incidence of Multiply Recurrent C Difficile Infection Rising

Relative to Clostridium difficile, CDI, the incidence of multiply recurrent CDI (mrCDI) has increased significantly, indicating a need to develop mrCDI therapies, according to the results of a recent study.

In order to determine whether the incidence of mrCDI is increasing at a proportional rate to CDI and to identify risk factors for mrCDI, researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 38,911,718 patients, of whom 45,341 developed CDI.
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Overall, annual incidence of CDI and mrCDI per 1000 person-years increased by 42.7% and 188.8%, respectively, from 2001 to 2012, and the increase in mrCDI was independent of known CDI risk factors.

Older individuals, as well as women and individuals who had used antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitors, or corticosteroids within 90 days of CDI diagnosis were more likely to develop mrCDI. Nursing home residents and those with chronic kidney disease were also more at risk for mrCDI.

Relative to CDI, mrCDI incidence has disproportionately increased, indicating a rising demand for mrCDI therapies,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Ma G, Brensinger CM, Wu Q, et al. Increasing incidence of multiply recurrent clostridium difficile infection in the united states: a cohort study [published online July 4, 2017]. Ann Intern Med. doi: 10.7326/M16-2733.