Incidence of Clostridium Difficile Infection in Skilled Nursing Facility Residents Treated with Antibiotics Compared to Treatment with Antibiotics and Probiotics

Clostridium difficile is a microbe that may cause a severe intestinal infection in vulnerable individuals such as those who are ill and taking antibiotics, or the elderly living in skilled care facilities. Use of probiotic supplements have shown in some studies to decrease the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Does the use of probiotic supplements in residents of a skilled nursing facility in western Pennsylvania receiving antibiotic therapy reduce the incidence of CDI? This retrospective study reviewed electronic medical records of 164 residents in a skilled nursing facility, including residents receiving antibiotics, and those receiving antibiotics and probiotics. Limitations included the size of the study sample, the age and condition of the patient including possible previous CDI history, and the time frame of transposition of laboratory analysis results to the electronic medical record. Results revealed a statistically significant difference in the rate of antibiotic-related diarrhea between patients receiving antibiotics and those receiving antibiotic therapy with probiotic supplements. In this study, no patients receiving probiotics and antibiotics were positively diagnosed by laboratory analysis with CDI. This study indicates the need for further studies related to use of probiotic supplements in patients receiving antibiotic therapy.