Clostridium difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a case control study

Abstract

Objective: Characterization of predisposing factors for Clostridium difficile infection recurrence (rCDI) and outcome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Methods: Clinical characteristics of 167 inflammatory bowel disease patients with Clostridium difficile infection (IBD-CDI cohort) treated in Helsinki University Central Hospital were gathered. Medical history of the last three months preceding a toxin positive CDI test was recorded. Parameters, including ribotype of C. difficile, mortality and recurrence were compared with age and gender-matched C. difficile patients (CDI cohort).

Results: No difference was found in rCDI between IBD-CDI and CDI cohorts. As compared with IBD subtypes, rCDI was least common among patients with Crohn’s disease. The use of immunosuppressant therapy was higher in IBD patients with two or more CDI episodes. C. difficile ribotype 027 increased the rates for rCDI in IBD patients but not in non-IBD-CDI patients. The prevalence of 027 ribotype and mortality rates did not differ significantly among the cohorts. None of the IBD patients underwent colectomy upon CDI.

Conclusion: IBD patients are not more susceptible for rCDI than non-IBD patients. Predisposing factors for rCDI among IBD patients are associated with immunosuppressant treatments, colon affecting IBD and CDI caused by ribotype 027. CDI does not worsen the prognosis of IBD patients.

Keywords:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Clostridium difficile infection
• recurrence of C. difficile infection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study was granted by the EVO-grant of Helsinki University Central Hospital and supported by State funding for University-Level Health Research.