Derivation and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Complications of Clostridium difficile Infection Using a Multicenter Prospective Cohort

Abstract Background Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) outbreaks were associated with increase in unfavorable outcomes. Identifying and predicting risk of developing complications (cCDI) early in the course of illness could improve clinical decision-making. We developed and validated a prediction rule for cCDI. Methods Adult inpatients with confirmed CDI in 10 Canadian hospitals were enrolled and followed for 90 days. Data within 48h of CDI diagnosis were collected: demographics, underlying illnesses, past medical and drug history, clinical signs, blood tests, and strain ribotype. cCDI was defined as one or more of: colonic perforation, toxic megacolon, colectomy, need of vasopressors, ICU admission due to CDI, or if CDI contributed to 30-day death. Predictors’ selection was supported by experts’ opinion suggesting 17 clinical criteria. Cross-validation technique was used (2:1 ratio) and multivariable logistic regression for predictive modeling in the derivation subset. The optimal model was assessed by area under ROC curve (AUC) and prediction error (PE). A predictive score was built by assigning points proportional to adjusted risk estimates. Results Among 1380 patients enrolled, 1050 were used for predictive modeling (median age 70 years and one-third infected by ribotype 027 strains). Cases were split into training (n = 700) and validation sets (n = 350). A cCDI occured in 8% and 6.6% respectively. The optimal model with a PE of 5% and an AUC of 0.84 in the validation set included WCC (< 4, 12–19.9, or ≥20 × 109/L), BUN≥11 mmol/L, serum albumin <25 g/L, heart rate > 90/minute, and respiratory rate >20/minute. A predictive score of min 0 and max 13 points was derived. A score ≥7 points was associated with 70% cases of cCDI, showed 68% sensitivity (95% CI, 55–80) in the derivation set and 70% (51–88) in the validation set, a specificity of 73% (69–76) and 76% (72–81) respectively, 17% PPV (9–25), and 97% NPV (95–99) in both sets. Conclusion Using a large multicenter prospective cohort and robust modeling approach, we derived a predictive score that included easily available measures at the bedside. The score showed acceptable performance. Further validation is needed on cohorts with different characterstics (non-outbreak setting, higher rate of cCDI). Other approaches such as combination of biomarkers could be more predictive of cCDI. Disclosures J. Powis, Merck: Grant Investigator, Research grant; GSK: Grant Investigator, Research grant; Roche: Grant Investigator, Research grant; Synthetic Biologicals: Investigator, Research grant

Fetched live from OpenAlex and de-inverted. Abstracts are not stored in this database: the inverted indexes are 8.6 GB of the frame’s 9.3 GB of text, and the host has 13 GB free.