Healthcare Facility Admission Research Articles

Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects

Background: Despite widespread consensus on the need to reduce benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults, prescription rates in the U.S. have paradoxically increased over the past few decades. Objective: We examined (1) the characteristics of the BZD adverse reaction cases in patients aged 50 and older that were admitted to a healthcare facility (HCF) and experienced major effects/death, and (2) the associations between the concomitant use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death among BZD cases. Methods: We used the 2015–2022 National Poison Data System (NPDS), which contained data from 55 America’s Poison Centers. We fitted two multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between the co-use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death. Results: Of the BZD cases that were examined (N = 1979), 14.9% or 295 cases were admitted to healthcare facilities, and 8.5% of those who were followed up (77 out of 893 cases) experienced major effects or death. The number of co-used substances, co-use of opioids and antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and Gabapentin were associated with greater odds of healthcare admission. Co-use of opioids and healthcare admission were associated with greater odds of major effects/death. Conclusions: Adverse reactions and healthcare admissions are likely to be prevented when healthcare providers limit and carefully monitor BZD prescribing, especially for those who are on other medications, including prescription opioids and antidepressants.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Cases Reported to United States Poison Centers, 2017–2022

IntroductionGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a class of medications for management of diabetes and obesity. The objective of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of GLP-1RA cases reported to US poison centers.MethodsWe analyzed cases involving a GLP-1RA reported to the National Poison Data System during 2017–2022.ResultsThere were 5,713 single-substance exposure cases reported to US poison centers involving a GLP-1RA. Most cases were among females (71.3%) and attributable to therapeutic errors (79.9%). More than one-fifth (22.4%) of cases were evaluated in a healthcare facility, including 0.9% admitted to a critical care unit and 4.1% admitted to a non-critical care unit. Serious medical outcomes were described in 6.2% of cases, including one fatality. The rate of cases per one million US population increased from 1.16 in 2017 to 3.49 in 2021, followed by a rapid increase of 80.9% to 6.32 in 2022. Trends for rates of serious medical outcomes and admissions to a healthcare facility showed similar patterns with 129.9% and 95.8% increases, respectively, from 2021 to 2022.ConclusionsMost GLP-1RA cases reported to US poison centers were associated with no or minimal effects and did not require referral for medical treatment; however, a notable minority of individuals experienced a serious medical outcome or healthcare facility admission. The rate of reported cases increased during the study period, including an 80.9% increase from 2021 to 2022. Opportunities exist to improve provider and patient awareness of the adverse effects of these medications.

Characteristics of diabetes mellitus patients in Turkey: An analysis of national electronic health records.

It was estimated that there were 537 million people with diabetes mellitus in 2021, representing 10.5% of the global adult population. Diabetes prevalence in Turkey is 13.5%, according to a meta-analysis and 17.3% according to a recent study. Although the primary purpose of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is clinical, researchers can use them to conduct epidemiologic investigations. This study aims to document the prevalence of diabetes and to evaluate the healthcare utilization of people with diabetes compared to the people without diabetes, based on national EHR. Only people over 14 years old were included in the analysis. Our criteria for being diabetic were 1) having an HbA1c over 6.5% (48 mmol/mol), 2) having a prescription with DM diagnosis, ICD-10 codes E10-E14, or 3) having at least two fasting blood glucose measurements over 126 mg/dl. At the end of 2020, there were 7,178,674 individuals with diabetes, with 11.12% prevalence, 13.10% in women while 9.12% in men. Age-adjusted healthcare facility admission per capita was 15.5 for people with diabetes, 9.5 for people without diabetes, while the number of prescriptions was 7.9 for people with diabetes while 4.5 for people without diabetes in 2019. The mean number of prescriptions containing antidiabetics was 2.88 per person with diabetes in 2019. Approximately 11% of Turkish people have diagnosed with diabetes. We estimate that about one-third of people with diabetes are undiagnosed and the majority of these people are men. The results show that such large databases have the capability of supplying a vast amount of information to the scientific community.

The interdisciplinary fracture liaison service improves health-related outcomes and survival of older adults after hip fracture surgical repair

SummaryDue to the high burden of fragility fractures, we developed an interdisciplinary FLS care pathway for early management and monitoring of older adults discharged from a high-volume trauma center after hip fracture repair. Interdisciplinary FLS effectively improves up to 1-year adherence to treatments for secondary prevention of fragility fractures, reduces health facility admission, and improves long-term survival.PurposeTo compare adherence to secondary fragility fracture prevention, falls, healthcare facility admissions, and mortality between hip fracture older adults who entered the fracture liaison services pathway of care (FLS-CP) and those managed according to the usual traumatologist model of care (U-CP).MethodsProspective observational study enrolling subjects aged ≥ 65 years discharged by high-volume trauma center after hip fracture repair from February 2016 to February 2017, who consecutively entered FLS-CP or U-CP according to their preference and goals.ResultsCompared to U-CP, those in FLS-CP had higher initiation rate and up to 1-year adherence to secondary prevention of fragility fracture, including vitamin D and calcium (87.7% vs 36.9%; p < 0.0001), specific anti-osteoporosis drugs (75.1% vs 8.0%; p < 0.0001), and complete anti-fracture therapy (72.3% vs 5.7%; p < 0.0001). Older adults belonging to FLS-CP showed a lower likelihood of healthcare facility admission (RR 0.597; 95% CI 0.398–0.895; p = 0.0125), with a longer re-hospitalization-free survival (176.4 vs 88.7 days; p = 0.0152) than those in U-CP. One-year incidence of falls and fractures was similar between groups, with a lower tendency of the subjects in the FLS-CP to be multiple fallers (19% vs 34.8%; OR 0.057; 95% CI 0.004–0.876; p = 0.0690). The FLS-CP group experienced a lower 1-year (87.2% vs 74.3%; p = 0.001) and 3-year mortality (67.9% vs 55.6%; p = 0.0245) and a lower adjusted 5-year mortality hazard ratio (50.2% vs 58%; HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.60; 0.96).ConclusionThe FLS-CP may improve initiation and adherence to secondary prevention of fragility fractures, reduces healthcare facility admission, and improves long-term survival.

Antidepressant exposures associated with exploratory behavior among young children reported to United States poison control centers, 2000-2020.

This study investigates characteristics and trends of antidepressant exposures among children <6 years old related to exploratory behavior reported to US poison control centers. Using data from the National Poison Data System for 2000-2020, population-based annual exposure rates by sex, antidepressant category, serious medical outcome, and health care facility admission were analyzed and odds ratios to assess associations of exposure type and antidepressant category with medical outcome and admission were calculated. There were 215 909 first-ranked unintentional exploratory exposures involving antidepressants among children <6 years old during the study period, averaging 10 281 annually. Most cases were <3 years old (77.8%), involved a single substance (86.9%), and did not receive treatment at a health care facility (57.6%); however, 7.9% were admitted and 3.4% had serious medical outcomes, including 13 deaths. SSRIs were involved in 56.9% of all cases. Compared with SSRIs, bupropion (OR: 5.22, 95% CI: 4.68-5.82), TCAs (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 3.44-4.07), SNRIs (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 2.11-2.71), and lithium salts (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.63-2.46) were more likely to be associated with a serious medical outcome. TCAs were the first-ranked substance in 7 of the 13 deaths. Although most unintentional antidepressant exposures related to pediatric exploratory behavior were inconsequential, an important minority of cases required admission to a HCF or had a serious medical outcome, including 13 deaths. Therefore, increased efforts to prevent these exposures among young children are needed, including public education and improved medication packaging.

Single-substance trazodone exposures reported to US poison centers from 2000 to 2019

Background Individual case reports describe trazodone overdose resulting in QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. The clinical effects and outcomes associated with trazodone exposures on a large-scale basis are less well known. Objective The primary objective was to characterize the severity of single substance trazodone exposures and identify any relationships that may exist between dose of trazodone and severity of exposure. The secondary objective was to describe these exposures from a demographic and clinical symptom standpoint. Methods A retrospective review of single-substance trazodone exposures reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2019 was performed. The primary objective was to characterize the severity of trazodone exposures and relationships between ingested dose and level of care required or medical outcome. Results A total of 118,773 cases were included in the analysis of demographics and level of care required. A majority (59.5%) of cases did not require medical admission. Of the 81,698 cases with known medical outcomes, the most common clinical effects included mild-moderate CNS depression (49.7%), QTc prolongation (12.2% of cases in 2019), vomiting (9.0%), hypotension (7.0%), and tachycardia (7.0%). The median ingested dose associated with treatment, and release from the emergency department was 600 mg compared to 1500 mg in those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Regarding medical outcome, median ingested dose ranged from 600 mg in those experiencing no effect to 1500 mg in those experiencing major effects. Cardiac-related clinical effects and the need for cardiac-specific interventions were overall infrequent. A dose–response relationship was identified for level of care and medical outcome. Conclusions Many trazodone exposures can be characterized as low severity due to the infrequent need for healthcare facility admission and large proportion of cases that experienced no effects or only minor effects.

Impact of product safety changes on accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets in children

Objectives To evaluate the impact of the ASTM International (formerly American Society of Testing Materials) safety standard and associated product safety changes on accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets (LLPs) in children. Methods The National Poison Data System was queried for reports of accidental exposures to LLPs in children <6 years old received from 01 July 2012 to 31 December 2018. In 2014, ASTM International began developing a standard specifying voluntary product changes to reduce the risk of LLP exposures in young children. Product changes were made between 2013 and 2016. Exposures were grouped into baseline, transition, and post periods based on the timing of the standard’s implementation. Exposure counts and sales adjusted rates were compared between the baseline and post period for all exposures and exposures involving healthcare facility (HCF) evaluation, HCF admission, and major medical outcomes. Results A total of 73,942 accidental exposures in children <6 years old were reported (baseline: 10,229, 13.8%; transition: 43,507, 58.8%; post: 20,206, 27.3%). The percentage of exposures involving HCF evaluation (41.5% to 33.8%), HCF admission (4.5% to 1.9%), and major medical outcomes (0.6% to 0.1%) decreased from the baseline to post period. Sales adjusted rates of all exposures decreased 57.4% (4.920–2.094 exposures/1 million packets sold). Decreases also occurred in HCF evaluations (65.0% decrease; 2.026–0.708 exposures/1 million packets sold), HCF admissions (81.4% decrease; 0.218–0.041 exposures/1 million packets sold), and major medical outcomes (90.9% decrease; 0.030–0.003 exposures/1 million packets sold). Conclusions The morbidity of accidental exposures to LLPs in children decreased substantially following implementation of the ASTM International safety standard. Ongoing monitoring should be performed to determine if additional safety measures are required.

Suicide-related over-the-counter analgesic exposures reported to United States poison control centers, 2000-2018.

To investigate suicide-related over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medication exposures among individuals ≥6 years old reported to United States (US) poison control centers. Data from the National Poison Data System for the years 2000-2018 were retrospectively analyzed. From 2000 to 2018, US poison control centers recorded 549 807 suicide-related cases involving OTC analgesics, including 327 781 cases (59.6%) admitted to the hospital and 1745 deaths (0.3%). Most cases involved a single substance (67.5%) and occurred among females (72.7%) and individuals 6-19 years old (49.7%). Overall, the rate of exposures increased significantly by 33.5% from 2000 to 2018, primarily driven by the increasing exposure rate among 6- to 19-year-old females. From 2000 to 2018, exposure rates for acetaminophen and ibuprofen increased, while that for acetylsalicylic acid decreased. Additionally, the proportion of cases resulting in a serious medical outcome or healthcare facility admission increased for all types of OTC analgesics. Acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid accounted for 48.0% and 18.5% of cases, respectively, and 64.5% and 32.6% of deaths, respectively. Both acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid had greater odds of healthcare facility admission (ORs 2.56 and 2.63, respectively) and serious medical outcomes (ORs 2.54 and 4.90, respectively) compared with ibuprofen. The rate of suicide-related OTC analgesic cases is increasing. Acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid cases are associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Prevention efforts should include implementing unit-dose packaging requirements and restrictions on package sizes and purchase quantities for acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid products to reduce access to large quantities of these analgesics.

RELATIONSHIP OF DEMENTIA AND MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY WITH FACILITY ADMISSIONS IN MEDICARE HOME HEALTH PATIENTS

This study was a secondary analysis of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and administrative billing records of 6,153 adults ≥ 65 years old who received home health (HH) from a not-for-profit HH agency in upstate New York between 01/01/2017 and 12/31/2017. We examined the relationships of dementia and Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility with unplanned institutional admission (i.e. to hospital, nursing home, or inpatient rehabilitation facility) among these HH recipients. Dementia was identified by ICD-10 codes and OASIS items (M1700, M1710, M1740). We also used OASIS record to identify dual eligible status (M0150) and unplanned facility admission (M2410 [occurrence], M0906 [date], M2430 [reason]). Time-to-facility admission was defined as the number of days from HH start date to the facility admission date. The rate of having an unplanned facility admission was 14.2% among Medicare-only patients without dementia, 15.8% among dual eligible patients without dementia, 16.7% among Medicare-only patients with dementia, and 39.3% among dual eligible patients with dementia (p<0.001). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model of time-to-facility admission adjusting for patient covariates, dually eligible patients with dementia were more than twice as likely as Medicare-only patients without dementia to have an unplanned facility admission (Hazard Ratio=2.35, p=0.006). This is the first study that identified synergistic effects of having both dementia and Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility on increasing the risk of healthcare facility admission in the Medicare HH population in the United States. Policies should ensure that appropriate and sufficient HH services be provided for dually eligible patients with dementia.

Coping with ill-health: health care facility, chemist or medicinal plants? Health-seeking behaviour in a Kenyan wetland

BackgroundSub-Saharan African wetlands, settlement areas to growing populations, expose their users to diseases as necessary health infrastructure remains underdeveloped.MethodsMixed methods were adopted to assess the health-seeking behaviour of different exposure groups (farmers, pastoralists, service sector workers) in a Kenyan wetland community. Based on a cross-sectional survey (n = 400), syndromic surveillance was linked to health-seeking event analysis. In-depth interviews with community members (n = 20) and experts (n = 8) enabled the integration of healthcare user and provider perspectives.ResultsHealth-seeking behaviour in the wetland was determined by physical/infrastructural, natural/environmental, financial/socioeconomic and social/demographic factors, as well as human/cultural aspects such as traditional preferences rooted in health beliefs. Community members had different strategies of coping with ill-health and few symptoms remained untreated. Whether via a health care facility admission, the visit of a chemist, or the intake of pharmaceuticals or medicinal plants: treatment was usually applied either via a healthcare service provider or by the community members themselves.An undersupply of easy-to-reach healthcare options was detected, and healthcare services were not available and accessible to all. The widely-practiced self-treatment of symptoms, e.g. by use of local medicinal plants, mirrors both potential healthcare gaps and cultural preferences of wetland communities.ConclusionsIntegrated into an overall health-promoting wetland management approach, widely accepted (cultural) realities of health-seeking behaviours could complement health sector service provision and help ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all in wetlands.

Risk factors for community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection in young children.

The majority of paediatric Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are community-associated (CA), but few data exist regarding associated risk factors. We conducted a case-control study to evaluate CA-CDI risk factors in young children. Participants were enrolled from eight US sites during October 2014-February 2016. Case-patients were defined as children aged 1-5 years with a positive C. difficile specimen collected as an outpatient or ⩽3 days of hospital admission, who had no healthcare facility admission in the prior 12 weeks and no history of CDI. Each case-patient was matched to one control. Caregivers were interviewed regarding relevant exposures. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was performed. Of 68 pairs, 44.1% were female. More case-patients than controls had a comorbidity (33.3% vs. 12.1%; P = 0.01); recent higher-risk outpatient exposures (34.9% vs. 17.7%; P = 0.03); recent antibiotic use (54.4% vs. 19.4%; P &lt; 0.0001); or recent exposure to a household member with diarrhoea (41.3% vs. 21.5%; P = 0.04). In multivariable analysis, antibiotic exposure in the preceding 12 weeks was significantly associated with CA-CDI (adjusted matched odds ratio, 6.25; 95% CI 2.18-17.96). Improved antibiotic prescribing might reduce CA-CDI in this population. Further evaluation of the potential role of outpatient healthcare and household exposures in C. difficile transmission is needed.

Evaluation of dose and outcomes for pediatric vilazodone ingestions

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposures among children younger than 6 years of age are generally well tolerated. Vilazodone is an SSRI with partial agonism at the 5-HT1A receptor with demonstrated clinical efficacy for depression whose off-label usage is likely to increase. Recent evidence suggests that unintentional ingestion of vilazodone in children under 6 years old is associated with more severe clinical effects than other SSRIs. We chose to evaluate dose and outcomes for pediatric vilazodone ingestions.Methods: A retrospective analysis of single-substance exposures associated with vilazodone among children younger than 6 years of age from 2011 through 2016 was conducted using data from the National Poison Data System.Results: During 2011–2016, 753 vilazodone ingestions among children <6 years old were reported to US poison control centers. A near majority (49.0%, n = 369) experienced one or more clinical effects. The dose ingested was reported for 596 children (79%).The median dose associated with major effects was 50.0mg (Mean: 106.0) compared with 40.0mg (Mean 81.1) for moderate effects. Half (50.0%) of children with a major effect and 54.0% with a moderate effect ingested ≤40 mg of vilazodone. As the dose of vilazodone ingested increased, the proportions of exposures admitted to a healthcare facility (HCF) (p < .001) and with serious outcomes (p < .001) both increased. Children ≤2 years had higher proportions of HCF admission (33.8% vs 23.1%) and serious outcomes (27.0% vs 17.7%) than children 3–5 years of age. Clinical effects, such as coma, seizures, ataxia, and hallucinations/delusions, were observed among children ingesting doses of vilazodone as low as 10 mg.Conclusions: Exposure to vilazodone poses a unique and potentially serious threat to children <6 years of age. Children in this age group who are exposed to vilazodone should be evaluated promptly in a clinical setting. Off-label use of vilazodone in children under 6 years should be discouraged until further research is conducted regarding its safety in this population.

Pediatric ingestion of vilazodone compared to other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications

Background: Unintentional ingestion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications is common amongst children <6 years of age. Current evidence-based management guidelines are based on a low incidence of significant medical outcomes in these children.Objective: To describe and compare outcomes of pediatric exposures to vilazodone with other SSRIs.Methods: A retrospective observational case series analysis of both single and polysubstance SSRI exposures amongst children <6 years old reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS).Results: 11,384 SSRI exposures in children <6 years of age reported to NPDS between January 2012 and June 2016 were assessed. Vilazodone only accounted for 5.9% of all exposures, but resulted in the highest proportion of health care facility admission compared to other SSRIs, both in single substance (165 of 531 (31.1%); OR 9.0 [7.3–11.2]) and polysubstance (57 of 107 (53.3%); OR 4.1 [2.7–6.2]) exposures. Children exposed to vilazodone also have higher odds of experiencing a major or moderate outcome in single (134 of 531 (25.2%); OR 20.5 [15.5–27.1]) and polysubstance (37 of 107 (35.6%); OR 5.9 [3.7–9.0]) exposures compared to other SSRIs. Several severe clinical outcomes, such as seizure and coma, were more common among the vilazodone exposures.Conclusions: Exposure to vilazodone in this age group results in an increased rate of hospitalization as well as more severe clinical effects as compared to other SSRIs. Current evidence-based SSRI exposure management guidelines may not be appropriate for the management of vilazodone ingestion in this age group.

Risk Factors for Community-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection in Children

BackgroundIncidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children has been shown to be highest among those aged 1 to 3 years, with similar clinical presentation, disease severity, and outcomes as older children. In addition, a large proportion of CDI in children are community-associated (CA), but few data exist regarding associated risk factors. We sought to identify CA-CDI risk factors in younger children.MethodsWe enrolled children from 8 geographically-diverse U.S. sites during October 2014–February 2016. Case-patients were defined as children aged 12–60 months with a positive C. difficile stool specimen collected as an outpatient or within 3 days of hospitalization, who had no healthcare facility admission in the prior 12 weeks and no history of CDI. Each case-patient was matched to one randomly selected control (child with no prior history of CDI) by site and age group. Caretakers were interviewed about participants’ relevant exposures in the 12 weeks prior to case-patient’s illness onset date; univariate analysis was performed using exact conditional logistic regression.ResultsOf 138 children, 43.5% were female; 69.6% were 12–23 months old. A significantly higher proportion of cases than controls had: an underlying chronic medical condition (33.3% vs 11.9%; P = 0.02); a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay at time of birth (26.9% vs 13.2%; P = 0.04); or recent antibiotic exposure (53.6% vs 20.6%; P = 0.0001). More cases than controls had recent higher-risk outpatient healthcare exposures (emergency department, outpatient procedure and surgical centers, hospital-based outpatient settings, or urgent care) (34.9% vs 19.1%; P = 0.06) or a household member with diarrhea (36.2% vs 20.6%; P = 0.05). No difference was found in the proportion of cases and controls who had a feeding tube (2.9% vs 0%; P = 0.50) or a recent exposure to gastric acid suppressants (6.1% vs 2.9%; P = 0.63).ConclusionYoung children with underlying disease, NICU stay, or recent antibiotic use might be at higher risk for CA-CDI. Improving outpatient antibiotic use, particularly among children with comorbidities, might reduce CA-CDI in this population. Further investigation of other risk factors, including outpatient healthcare and household exposures, is needed.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Prognostic Indicators for Ebola Patient Survival.

To determine whether 2 readily available indicators predicted survival among patients with Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone, we evaluated information for 216 of the 227 patients in Bo District during a 4-month period. The indicators were time from symptom onset to healthcare facility admission and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR cycle threshold (Ct), a surrogate for viral load, in first Ebola virus-positive blood sample tested. Of these patients, 151 were alive when detected and had reported healthcare facility admission dates and Ct values available. Time from symptom onset to healthcare facility admission was not associated with survival, but viral load in the first Ebola virus-positive blood sample was inversely associated with survival: 52 (87%) of 60 patients with a Ct of >24 survived and 20 (22%) of 91 with a Ct of <24 survived. Ct values may be useful for clinicians making treatment decisions or managing patient or family expectations.

Outpatient Healthcare Settings and Transmission of Clostridium difficile

BackgroundRecent reports suggest that community-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) (i.e., no healthcare facility admission within 90 days) may be increasing in frequency. We hypothesized that outpatient clinics could be an important source for acquisition of community-associated CDI.MethodsWe performed a 6-month prospective study of CDI patients to determine frequency of and risk factors for skin and environmental shedding during outpatient visits and to derive a prediction rule for positive cultures. We performed a point–prevalence culture survey to assess the frequency of C. difficile contamination in outpatient settings and evaluated the frequency of prior outpatient visits in patients with community-associated CDI.ResultsOf 67 CDI patients studied, 54 (81%) had 1 or more outpatient visits within 12 weeks after diagnosis. Of 44 patients cultured during outpatient visits, 14 (32%) had skin contamination and 12 (27%) contaminated environmental surfaces. Decreased mobility, fecal incontinence, and treatment with non-CDI antibiotics were associated with positive cultures, whereas vancomycin taper therapy was protective. In patients not on CDI therapy, a prediction rule including incontinence or decreased mobility was 90% sensitive and 79% specific for detection of spore shedding. Of 84 clinic and emergency department rooms cultured, 12 (14%) had 1 or more contaminated environmental sites. For 33 community-associated CDI cases, 31 (94%) had an outpatient visit during the 12 weeks prior to onset of diarrhea.ConclusionsPatients with recent CDI present a significant risk for transmission of spores during outpatient visits. The outpatient setting may be an underappreciated source of community-associated CDI cases.

Community-associated Clostridium difficile infection and antibiotics: a meta-analysis

Antibiotic exposure is the most important risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Most evaluations of antimicrobial risk factors have been conducted in healthcare settings. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between antibiotic exposure and community-associated CDI (CA-CDI) (i.e. symptom onset in the community with no healthcare facility admission within 12 weeks) and to determine the classes of antibiotics posing the greatest risk. We searched four electronic databases for subject headings and text words related to CA-CDI and antibiotics. Studies that investigated the risk of CA-CDI associated with antibiotic usage were considered eligible. Data from the identified studies were combined using a random-effects model and ORs were calculated. Of 910 citations identified, eight studies (n = 30 184 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Antibiotic exposure was associated with an increased risk of CA-CDI (OR 6.91, 95% CI 4.17-11.44, I(2) = 95%). The risk was greatest with clindamycin (OR 20.43, 95% CI 8.50-49.09) followed by fluoroquinolones (OR 5.65, 95% CI 4.38-7.28), cephalosporins (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.60-12.50), penicillins (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.89-5.57), macrolides (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.91-3.39) and sulphonamides/trimethoprim (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.48-2.29). Tetracyclines were not associated with an increased CDI risk (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.57-1.45). Antibiotic exposure was an important risk factor for CA-CDI, but the risk was different amongst different antibiotic classes. The risk was greatest with clindamycin followed by fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, whereas tetracyclines were not associated with an increased risk.