Researchers Find Increased CDAD Among U.S. Military Members

Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) has risen in incidence and the experience in the U.S. military has not been described. Gutiérrez, et al. (2013) evaluated the U.S. military's database and identified CDAD cases and demographic characteristics among affected military personnel from 1998 to 2010.
 
The researchers identified 2,423 cases were identified. CDAD incidence was 13.2 cases (95% CI: 12.7-13.7) per 100 K p-yr and increased over study years.  CA-CDAD and HA-CDAD incidence was 5.5 (95% CI: 5.2, 5.9) per 100 K p-y and 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) per 1,000 hospitalizations respectively. Females comprised a larger proportion of CA-CDAD than HA-CDAD (25.5% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.001) cases as did Air Force service (29% vs. 23.4%; p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis female gender, Coast Guard or Air Force service, and a married status was associated with CA-CDAD whereas male gender and Marine Corps service were associated with HA-CDAD cases.
 
The researchers concluded that CDAD has increased among military personnel, with female cases more likely to be community associated. Gender, marital status and branch of service had the strongest association with CDAD subtype. Further work is needed to evaluate the epidemiologic factors that have led to these increased rates in otherwise low-risk populations and associated sequelae. Their research was published in BMC Infectious Diseases.

Reference: Gutiérrez RL, Riddle MS and Porter CK. Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection among active duty United States military personnel (1998-2010). BMC Infectious Diseases 2013, 13:609. Dec. 28, 2013.