The Particulars: Previous research indicates that the rate of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increased in the decade prior to 2009 in the United States. Additional studies have yet to confirm this finding or look at more recent incidence, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) trends associated with CDI.
Data Breakdown: For a study, researchers found that CDI incidence appears to have increased from 4.5 to 8.2 cases per 1,000 hospitalizations from 2001 to 2010. During the study, mortality rates varied, with the highest rate occurring in 2003 (8.7%) and the lowest rate being reached in 2009 (5.6%). Hospital LOS remained stable at an average of 8 days throughout the study period.
Take Home Pearls: The incidence of CDI in U.S. hospitals appears to have nearly doubled between 2001 and 2010. Mortality and hospital LOS among patients with CDI does not appear to have declined significantly during this period.
