The Epidemiology and Economic Burden ofClostridium difficileInfection in Korea

Abstract

The prevalence ofClostridium difficileinfection and the associated burden have recently increased in many countries. While the main risk factors forC. difficileinfection include old age and antibiotic use, the prevalence of this infection is increasing in low-risk groups. These trends highlight the need for research onC. difficileinfection. This study pointed out the prevalence and economic burden ofC. difficileinfection and uses the representative national data which is primarily from the database of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, for 2008–2011. The annual economic cost was measured using a prevalence approach, which sums the costs incurred to treatC. difficileinfection.C. difficileinfection prevalence was estimated to have increased from 1.43 per 100,000 in 2008 to 5.06 per 100,000 in 2011. Moreover, mortality increased from 69 cases in 2008 to 172 in 2011. The economic cost increased concurrently, from $2.4 million in 2008 to $7.6 million, $10.5 million, and $15.8 million in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. The increasing economic burden ofC. difficileinfection over the course of the study period emphasizes the need for intervention to minimize the burden of a preventable illness likeC. difficileinfection.