Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to explore the global burden and trends of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) associated diseases. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The burden of CDI was assessed using the age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (ASR-DALYs) and deaths (ASDRs). Trends in the burden of CDI were presented using average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). RESULTS: The ASR-DALYs for CDI increased from 1.83 (95% UI: 1.53-2.18) per 100,000 in 1990 to 3.46 (95% UI: 3.04-3.96) per 100,000 in 2021, with an AAPC of 2.03% (95% CI: 1.67-2.4%). The ASDRs for CDI rose from 0.10 (95% UI: 0.08-0.11) per 100,000 in 1990 to 0.19 (95% UI: 0.16-0.23) per 100,000 in 2021, with an AAPC of 2.26% (95% CI: 1.74-2.79%). In 2021, higher burdens of ASR-DALYs (10.7 per 100,000) and ASDRs (0.53 per 100,000) were observed in high socio-demographic index (SDI) areas, and among age group over 70 years (31.62/100,000 for ASR-DALYs and 2.45/100,000 for ASDRs). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global ASR-DALYs and ASDRs slightly decreased. However, in regions with low SDI, low-middle and middle SDI, those rates slightly increased. CONCLUSION: The global burden of CDI has significantly increased, particularly in regions with high SDI and among individuals aged 70 years and above. During the COVID-19 pandemic period from 2020 to 2021, the burden of CDI further increased in regions with low, low-middle, and middle SDI. These findings underscore the need for increased attention and intervention, especially in specific countries and populations.