Clostridioides difficile infections, recurrences, and clinical outcomes in real-world settings from 2015 to 2019: The RECUR England study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo estimate the epidemiological and clinical burden of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) and recurrences (rCDIs) in England. MethodsThis retrospective study included adult patients diagnosed with CDI (community or hospital settings) over 2015-2019 from Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics databases. Incidences of CDI and rCDI were determined annually. Time to subsequent rCDI was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Rates of complications were assessed within 12 months from index episode. Association of risk factors with complications was evaluated using a Cox regression model. ResultsA total of 52,443 CDI episodes were recorded among 36,913 patients. Of these, 75% were aged ≥65 years, 59% were women; 73% were treated in community settings. CDI incidence remained stable (111 episodes per 100,000 patients in 2019). Around 21% of patients had ≥1 rCDI. Sepsis (12%) was the most common complication, followed by colectomy and ulcerative colitis. Age, gender, comorbidities, rCDI, preindex medical procedures, hospitalizations and consultations, and CDI treatment in hospital, were found to increase the risk of complication. ConclusionsCDI remains a concern in England. The study highlights the importance of managing primary and rCDI episodes via effective and improved therapies to prevent fatal complications.