Researchers identified three risk factors associated with complications of Clostridium difficile infections in a prospective study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Between June 2005 and October 2008, the researchers examined the patient data of 1,380 adults with C. diff at 10 Canadian acute care hospitals, as well as the rate of patient complications. For the sake of the study, complications were defined as admission to an intensive care unit for one of the following: C. diff infection, colonic perforation, toxic megacolon, colectomy or hemicolectomy. Mortality within 30 days of enrollment related to C. diff infection was also included.
Ultimately, the researchers found the following three factors were associated with CDI complications.
1. Aged 80 years or older
2. Abnormal blood results
3. Atypical vital signs, including high heart and respiratory rates
"These factors, readily available to clinicians at the time of diagnosis, could be used for outcome prediction and risk stratification to select patients who may need closer monitoring or more aggressive therapy," concluded the study.
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