Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recurrent or chronic antibiotic therapy is a therapeutic hallmark of chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis (CADP) or Crohn's-like disease of the pouch. Antibiotics alter the gut microbiome, which may increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CDI in patients with CADP and Crohn's-like disease of the pouch. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with CADP or Crohn's-like disease of the pouch at a tertiary academic medical center. The primary outcome was prevalence of CDI. Secondary outcomes included antibiotic therapy at the time of CDI diagnosis, treatment regimens for CDI, and subsequent outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 18 of 198 (9.1%) included patients developed CDI. Treatment with antibiotics at the time of CDI diagnosis occurred in 7 of 18 (39%) patients. Preoperative history of CDI was significantly associated with increased risk of developing CDI following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) compared with those with no prior history of CDI (12 of 18 [67%] vs 11 of 180 [6%]; P < .001). In 16 of 18 (89%) patients, CDI treatment was initiated with predominantly oral vancomycin (72%) or metronidazole (17%). CONCLUSION: Although chronic inflammatory conditions of the pouch arise postoperatively, the prevalence of CDI in this population appears to be similar compared with the general population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease prior to and post IPAA. Preoperative CDI appears to be the greatest risk for postoperative CDI and may require extra vigilance in the assessment of CDI after IPAA.