Corticosteroid use is associated with a reduced incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: A retrospective cohort study

• Published in: Anaerobe Vol. 30; pp. 27 - 29
• Main Authors: Wojciechowski, Amy L., Parameswaran, Ganapathi I., Mattappallil, Arun, Mergenhagen, Kari A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2014
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Clostridium; Clostridium difficile; Clostridium difficile - isolation & purification; Clostridium Infections - epidemiology; Clostridium Infections - prevention & control; Cohort Studies; Diarrhea - epidemiology; Diarrhea - prevention & control; Enterocolitis; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Incidence; Male; Prevention & control; Pseudomembranous; Retrospective Studies; Pseudomembranous; Glucocorticoids; Enterocolitis; Prevention & control; Clostridium difficile
• ISSN: 1075-9964; 1095-8274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2014.07.010

The impact of corticosteroid use on the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) was examined retrospectively in 532 patients receiving antibiotic treatment for respiratory infections. As determined by logistic regression, corticosteroids were associated with a decreased incidence of CDAD (Odds Ratio 0.12, 95% Confidence Interval 0.006–0.95). •Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is associated with antibiotic use.•Inpatients treated for respiratory infections were retrospectively reviewed.•Risk factors for CDAD were evaluated in patients treated with antibiotics.•Concurrent use of corticosteroids was associated with a decreased incidence of CDAD.•Short-term immune suppression associated with steroids may prevent symptomatic CDAD.