Impact of colon cancer on outcomes in hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infection: a national inpatient analysis

Abstract

Background and aim

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) burdens hospitalized patients, particularly those with comorbidities. Colon cancer may worsen CDI severity and outcomes. We aimed to assess CDI outcomes in hospitalized colon cancer patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Survey data identified adults with CDI, categorized by the presence of colon cancer. Hospitalization characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared between groups. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total hospital charges. The secondary outcomes were CDI complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with P values ≤0.05 indicating statistical significance.

Results

Among 1,436,860 CDI patients, 14,085 had colon cancer. Patients with colon cancer had a longer length of stay (10.77 vs 9.98 days; P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, colon cancer patients exhibited higher odds of acute peritonitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.37; P = 0.009), bowel perforation (aOR 5.49; P < 0.001), paralytic ileus (aOR 2.12; P = 0.003), and colectomy (aOR 36.99; P < 0.001), but lower risks of mortality, sepsis, septic shock, acute kidney injury, cardiac arrest, and mechanical ventilation (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Colon cancer significantly impacts CDI outcomes in hospitalized patients, highlighting the need for improved management strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords:

• Clostridioides difficile infection
• colon cancer
• hospital charges
• length of stay
• mortality

Disclosure statement/Funding

The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest.