C. difficile–Associated Diarrhea — Very Costly

A case-control study conducted in Germany estimated mean direct treatment costs of €18,463, €73,898 and €14,531 for single-episode, recurrent-disease, and control groups, respectively.

Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated infectious diarrhea. Affecting predominantly elderly patients with comorbidities and antibiotic exposure, C. difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) is linked to additional morbidity and mortality, prolongation of hospital stay, and higher costs. The burden is especially great for recurrent disease (20%–30% of cases). To determine expenses related to this condition in Germany, researchers performed a cost-of-illness analysis at a tertiary care hospital in Cologne.

The study involved 300 patients: 150 with CDAD diagnosed in 2010 or 2011 (114 with a single episode, and 36 with disease recurrence ≤12 weeks after the first positive stool test) and 150 CDAD-free controls matched…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

C. difficile–Associated Diarrhea — Very Costly

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Reviewing Author