Demographic Characteristics and Economic Burden of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> Infection in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study after Propensity Score Matching

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) poses a considerable threat to global public health. However, there have been insufficient propensity score-matched data on its demographic characteristics and economic burden. Using nationwide claims data, we assessed longitudinal changes in the demographic characteristics and economic burden of CDI between 2011 and 2019 after propensity score matching. We performed a regression analysis to compare the differences in the length of hospital stay and medical costs between patients with CDI and controls (gastroenteritis and colitis). The CDI hospitalization rate increased 2.9-fold between 2011 and 2019. The CDI group had higher comorbidity index scores and was more frequently diagnosed at tertiary hospitals and in the Seoul region than the control group (all p p p 3), respectively, after matching. In conclusion, CDI incidence, particularly among the elderly population with comorbidities, has been increasing. In addition, the length of hospital stay and total medical costs of the CDI group were greater than those of the control group.

Keywords

• <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>
• demography
• hospital costs
• longitudinal studies
• propensity score