Ann Clin Microbiol.  2020 Dec;23(4):241-249. 10.5145/ACM.2020.23.4.3.

The Trend of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Korean Hospitals with the Analysis of Nationwide Sample Cohort

• Son KJ
• Kim YA
• Park YS

• KMID: 2509647
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2020.23.4.3

Abstract

Background
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is an important pathogen that causes diarrhea in people who take antibiotics. The recent status of C. difficile infection is not wellknown in Korea.
Methods
The long-term trend of C. difficile infection in Korean hospitals was analyzed using a nationwide sample cohort. The data also included sociodemographic characteristics, disease severity, and healthcare facilities. C. difficile infection was defined by the prescription of oral vancomycin or all metronidazole prescriptions under C. difficile infectious disease code (A047).
Results
The rate of C. difficile infection has steadily increased from 0.030% in 2006 to 0.317% in 2015. The increased rate correlated to age (0.033% for <50 years, 0.421% for 70-79 years, and 0.758% for >80 years of age) and the Charlson comorbidity index score (0.048% for zero versus 0.378% for three or more points). It differed by the type of medical institution (0.270 % at referral hospitals versus 0.056 % at general hospitals and mental hospitals).
Conclusion
The rate of C. difficile infection in Korea is significant in patients with advanced age and disease severity. The results show that C. difficile infection trend has been increasing steadily in Korea.

Keyword

Clostridioides difficile; Cohort studies; Infections; Rate; Trend

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Data construction flow diagram. CDI, C. difficile infection.

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  Fig. 2. The trend of C. difficile infection from 2006 to 2015. N, number.

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