Abstract

Abstract Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) significantly exacerbates and worsens the prognosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is recognized as a safe and efficacious therapy for patients battling recurrent or refractory CDI, but comparative studies focusing on the success rates in IBD and non-IBD patients remain scarce. Our study aims to shed light on this gap in knowledge. Methods In this retrospective cohort study conducted at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between April 2019 and February 2023, patients undergoing FMT via colonoscopy for recurrent or refractory CDI were enrolled. Participants were categorized into IBD and non-IBD groups based on their underlying conditions. We compared baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes at one-month and one-year follow-up intervals. CDI diagnosis was confirmed through positive CD toxin A/B genes and associated clinical symptoms. Donor specimens were sourced from Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center's fecal bank. Results Our study included 88 patients who received FMT, comprising 30 in the IBD group and 58 in the non-IBD group. The indications were recurrent CDI in 31 patients, refractory CDI in 54, and both conditions in 3 patients. Among the IBD subgroup, 20 patients had ulcerative colitis, and 10 had Crohn's disease. In the baseline comparison, the IBD group was significantly younger (mean±SD, 45.23±16.45 years vs. 61.90±24.40 years, P = 0.001) and had fewer comorbidities such as hypertension (10.0% vs. 55.2%, P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (6.7% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.014), and cancer (3.3% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.012) than the non-IBD group. Additionally, the IBD group had less prior Fidaxomin use (6.9% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.021) and fewer HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor users (0.0% vs. 15.5%, P = 0.025). Post-FMT, IBD severity indices showed significant improvement at one month. The mean partial Mayo score in the IBD group decreased by 2.9 points, the endoscopic Mayo subscore decreased by 0.7 points, and the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index decreased by 79.98 points. At this time, the IBD group showed a similar percentage of negative CDI toxin A/B tests (83.3% vs. 63.8%, P = 0.174) but had lower clinical remission rates (79.5% vs. 96.5%, P = 0.006) compared to the non-IBD group. However, at the one-year follow-up, the eradication rate (94.4% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.112) and clinical remission rate (84.2% vs. 90.3%, P = 0.661) were comparable between both groups. No safety issues or adverse effects were reported in any of the patients. Conclusion FMT demonstrates safety and efficacy in treating recurrent or refractory CDI in both IBD and non-IBD patients, also aiding in mitigating IBD-associated inflammation.

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