Statins Decrease the Risk for Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea in Hospitals

Use of antibiotics or proton-pump inhibitors is associated with an increased risk for Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Statin use is associated with reduced risk for certain types of infections — most likely because of the drugs' anti-inflammatory properties — but its possible protective effect on healthcare-facility (HCF)–onset CDAD has not been specifically examined until now.

In a large case-control study, investigators assessed statin use in a network of U.S. academic health centers in 31,472 adult patients who developed CDAD during hospitalization (cases) and in 78,096 matched controls. Cases were identified with previously validated criteria of a diagnosis of diarrhea during hospitalization and treatment with metronida…