Researchers have developed a model that accurately predicts which patients are at risk for recurrence of a Clostridium difficile infection, according to research in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Researchers compared data from two pharmaceutical trials in which fidaxomicin, an antibiotic was compared with vancomycin for C. diff treatment.
They subsequently identified four classes of risk factor for the predictive model, including age, number of unformed bowel movements during the previous 24 hours, baseline serum creatinine levels, prior episodes of C. diff and treatment method.
Researchers suggest the model may be useful for clinicians in deciding upon the most effective treatment to prevent recurrence of C. diff infections, something between 20 and 30 percent of those with C. diff experience.
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