Univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors for severe clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea: Importance of co-morbidity and serum C-reactive protein

Table 2 Univariate analysis of risk factors for severe CDAD

Variable	Non-severe CDAD (n = 97)	Severe CDAD (n = 27)	P
Male sex	41/42	12/44
Nursing home residency	12/12	7/26
Hospital-acquired CDAD	76/78	25/93
Immunosuppressive therapy	15/15	10/37	< 0.05
Previous antibiotic therapy	78/80	23/85
Acid-suppressive therapy	47/48	19/70
Therapy with opioids	40/41	17/63
Laxative use	19/20	11/41	< 0.05
GI procedures including PEG and surgery	13/13	0/0
Continuation of initial antibiotic therapy	52/54	19/70
Antibiotic treatment for CDAD	88/91	25/93
Body temperature ≥ 38°C	38/39	18/67	< 0.05
Therapy ≥ 7 d after onset diarrhoea	33/34	12/44
Length of hospital stay > 14 d	50/52	20/74	< 0.05
30-d mortality	4/4	9/33	< 0.001
Age (yr)	74 ± 12	77 ± 12
Charlson’s score (points)	3.4 ± 2.2	5 ± 2.6	< 0.001
White blood cell count (G/L)	15.3 ± 9.9	21.6 ± 10.4	< 0.01
C-reactive protein (mg/L)	109 ± 79	223 ± 92	< 0.001
Creatinine (mg/L)	14 ± 13	24 ± 17	< 0.01
Sodium (mmol/L)	135 ± 5	133 ± 7
Potassium (mmol/L)	3.6 ± 0.5	3.4 ± 0.5