Abstract

BLANCO PEREZ, Ángela; RUIZ MORALES, Óscar; OTERO REGINO, William  and  GOMEZ ZULETA, Martín. Clostridium difficile infections in elderly patients. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.1, pp.53-63. ISSN 0120-9957.

Clostridium difficile infection is one of the most important causes of acute diarrhea in elderly patients. For over thirty years this infection has been associated with the use of antibiotics. Its incidence and severity among the elderly have progressively increased over the last decade resulting in increased risk morbidity and mortality from this infection among this population. This article aims to review disease associated with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) among the elderly. It emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis based on risk factors, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment before infection reaches epidemic proportions. It also emphasizes the importance of education for health care professionals and relatives of patients in order to limit the spread of this infection and associated morbidity and mortality.

Keywords : Clostridium difficile; diarrhea; pseudomembranous; colitis.

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