Frequency of Pseudomembranous Colitis in Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of Pseudomembranous
colitis in antibiotic associated diarrhoea in tertiary care hospital.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the
study. The antibiotic being taken by the patients was documented. No specific therapy or diet for
the prevention of diarrhea was prescribed, except for the withdrawal of antibiotic and introduction
of antiperistaltic agent. After 3 days of starting diarrhea, stool culture for Clostridium difficile
infection was done and if it was found to be positive then patients were subjected to
sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy to confirm the presence of pseudomembranous colitis.
Results: Out of two hundred and fifty patients,159 patients (63.6%) were, 12-40 years old, 59
patients (19.6%) were between 41-60 years of age while 42 patients (16.8%) were between 61-70
years of age. 130 patients (52.0%) were male and remaining 120 patients (48.0%) were female.
Stool culture for Clostridium was positive in 63 patients (25.2% of total) and negative in 187
patients (74.8% of total). Pseudomembranous colitis was noted in 31 patients (12.4%) on lower
GI endoscopy.
Conclusions: onsiderable number of antibiotic associated diarrhea cases were found to haveC
evidence of Pseudomembranous colitis