[Risk factors for nosocomial Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in an infectious and tropical diseases department].
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) accounts for 25% of all cases of diarrhea occurring in hospital. Infectious diseases departments are considered as presenting with an important risk of CDAD because of the large quantity of antibiotics used.


OBJECTIVE
The authors made a prospective study in the first 6 months of 2001, in order to identify the risk factors of CDAD in their department. One hundred and fifty-two patients hospitalized for at least 6 days were included in this study. The studied factors were: age, mean number of days of hospitalization (MDH), antibiotic therapy, WHO scale of reduced mobility of patients, recent hospitalization (less than 3 months before).


RESULTS
MDH was 36 (IC95%: 23-48). Beta-lactam antibiotics were found as significant risk factors, as reported in the literature. However, age and a recent hospitalization were not related to the CDAD as described in the literature. A reduced mobility of patients was identified as a significant risk factor for developing a CDAD in our department.
Henoun Loukili
N
N
Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France. lounour@aol.com
Martinot
M
M
Hansmann
Y
Y
Christmann
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003428:Cross Infection; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents