Racial and ethnic disparities in health care–associated Clostridium difficile infections in the United States: State of the science

Background Among health care-associated infections (HAIs), Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. As national progress toward CDI prevention continues, it will be critical to ensure that the benefits from CDI prevention are realized...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2016-01, Vol.44 (1), p.91-96
Main Authors: Yang, Sandra, MPH, Rider, Briana B., PharmD, Baehr, Avi, BA, Ducoffe, Aaron R., MD, Hu, Dale J., MD, MPH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile - isolation & purification
Clostridium Infections - epidemiology
Clostridium Infections - ethnology
Clostridium Infections - prevention & control
Continental Population Groups
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - ethnology
Cross Infection - prevention & control
Disease prevention
Ethnic Groups
Ethnicity
Female
Gram-positive bacteria
Health care disparity
Health care–associated infection
Health disparities
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Infection Control
Infectious Disease
Male
Morbidity
Nosocomial infections
Patient Safety
Race
Risk
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:Background Among health care-associated infections (HAIs), Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. As national progress toward CDI prevention continues, it will be critical to ensure that the benefits from CDI prevention are realized across different patient demographic groups, including any targeted interventions. Methods Through a comprehensive review of existing evidence for racial/ethnic and other disparities in CDIs, we identified a few general trends, but the results were heterogeneous and highlight significant gaps in the literature. Results The majority of analyzed studies identified white patients as at increased risk of CDIs, although there is a very limited literature base, and many studies had significant methodological limitations. Conclusion Key recommendations for future research are provided to address antimicrobial stewardship programs and populations that may be at increased risk for CDIs.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2015.08.007