Volume 17, Number 10—October 2011
Dispatch
Clostridium difficile Infection in Outpatients, Maryland and Connecticut, USA, 2002–2007
Jon Mark Hirshon
, Angela D. Thompson, Brandi Limbago, L. Clifford McDonald, Michelle Bonkosky, Robert Heimer, James Meek, Volker Mai, and Christopher R. Braden
, Angela D. Thompson, Brandi Limbago, L. Clifford McDonald, Michelle Bonkosky, Robert Heimer, James Meek, Volker Mai, and Christopher R. BradenTable 1
Patient risk factors for CDI compared with those of other patients with diarrhea without CDI, Maryland and Connecticut, USA, 2002−2007*
| Risk factor | No. (%) patients with CDI, n = 43 | No. (%) patients with diarrhea but not CDI, n = 1,048 | p value† |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illnesses potentially affecting immune status | |||
| Lupus | 1 (2.3) | 4 (0.4) | 0.06 |
| Cancer under active treatment | 3 (7.0) | 40 (3.8) | 0.30 |
| HIV/AIDS | 2 (4.7) | 43 (4.1) | 0.86 |
| History of organ transplant | 2 (4.7) | 22 (2.1) | 0.26 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (on prednisone) | 1 (2.3) | NA | NA |
| Illnesses potentially affecting gastrointestinal function | |||
| Crohn disease | 0 (0) | 14 (1.3) | 0.45 |
| Ulcerative colitis | 1 (2.3) | 19 (1.8) | 0.81 |
| Prior bowel or ulcer surgery | 6 (14.0) | 69 (6.6) | 0.06 |
| Any medical or surgical condition | 15 (34.9) | 176 (16.8) | 0.002 |
| Hospitalized within prior month | 14 (32.6) | 92 (8.8) | <0.001 |
| Antimicrobial drug therapy within prior month | 27 (62.8) | 231 (22.0) | <0.001 |
| No hospitalization or antimicrobial drug therapy within prior month and no predisposing condition | 7 (16.3) | 698 (66.6) | <0.001
*CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; NA, not available. *CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; NA, not available. |
*CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; NA, not available.
†Uncorrected χ2.
