Economic burden attributable to Clostridioides difficile infections in South Korea: a nationwide propensity score-matched study

Abstract

Background: Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is an important pathogen that causes diarrhoea in patients who take antibacterial drugs. Considering the limited medical resources, it is necessary to prioritize the management of threats caused by antibiotic use and the spread of germs, but there are little available data, especially for C. difficile infections in South Korea.

Aims: In this study, we analysed the hospital length of stay (LOS) and the increase in medical costs due to C. difficile infections.

Methods: Propensity score-matched experimental (hospitalized patients with C. difficile infection)-control (hospitalized patients without C. difficile infection) studies were conducted to estimate the increase in the LOS and medical costs associated with C. difficile infections. The data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2006 to 2015. Reliable results were obtained by actively calibrating various confounding variables of demographic characteristics, disease severity, and information on healthcare facilities.

Findings: The C. difficile-attributable increase in LOS and hospitalization costs were 36.9 days and 8298 USD, respectively, per infection case.

Conclusion: This study quantified the considerable burden associated with C. difficile infections in South Korea.