Risk of rehospitalization due to Clostridioides difficile infection among hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile: a cohort study.

Background: Reducing rehospitalization has been a primary focus of hospitals and payors. Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is common and often results in rehospitalization. Factors that influence rehospitalization for CDI are not well understood.

Objective: To determine the risk factors that influence rehospitalization caused by CDI.

Design: A retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, of patients aged ≥18 who tested positive for C. difficile while hospitalized.

Setting: Academic hospital.

Methods: The risk of rehospitalization was assessed across exposures during and after the index hospitalization using a Cox proportional hazards model. The primary outcome of this study was 60-day CDI-related rehospitalization.

Results: There were 559 hospitalized patients with a positive CD test during the study period, and 408 patients were included for analysis. All-cause rehospitalization was 46.1% within 60 days of the index hospital discharge. Within 60 days of discharge, 68 patients developed CDI, of which 72.5% (49 of 68) were rehospitalized specifically for the management of CDI. The risk of rehospitalization in patients with CDI was higher among patients who were exposed to systemic antibiotics ([adjusted hazard ratio] aHR: 2.78; 95% CI, 1.36-5.64) and lower among patients who had post-discharge follow-up addressing C. difficile (aHR: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.98).

Conclusions: Exposure to systemic antibiotics increased the risk of rehospitalization due to CDI, while post-discharge follow-up decreased the risk of rehospitalization due to CDI. Comprehensive transitions of care for hospitalized patients with C. difficile may reduce the risk of CDI-related rehospitalization.