Identification of risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in older adult hospitalized patients with pressure ulcers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is a common healthcare-associated infection. Older adult hospitalized patients with pressure ulcers are more susceptible because of low immunity and disordered flora, but their specific risk factors are unknown. This study hypothesized that the use of antibiotics for more than 2 weeks, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and β-lactam antibiotics are independent risk factors for CDI in this population. AIM To determine the risk factors for CDI in hospitalized older adults with pressure ulcers. METHODS A total of 120 older adults hospitalized with pressure ulcers from 2020 to 2023 were enrolled in the wound repair ward of the hospital. Stool samples were collected for anaerobic culture, C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen and toxin detection, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors. RESULTS Among the 120 patients, 39 were positive for C. difficile , resulting in a CDI incidence of 32.5%. Thirty-nine patients (32.5%) were positive for GDH antigen. Twelve patients (10.0%) were positive for toxin A/B. Multivariate analysis showed that antibiotic use for more than 2 weeks, proton pump inhibitor use, and use of β-lactams were independent risk factors for CDI (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION From 2020 to 2023, the incidence of CDI in 120 hospitalized older adult patients with pressure ulcers was 32.5%, and three independent risk factors were identified.
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414334699