Prevalence of Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhoea in Hospitalised Patients (Results of a Russian Prospective Multicentre Study).

Introduction: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) among hospitalised patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) in general and by specific types of medical care and hospital units.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, non-interventional, multicentre study. The main inclusion criteria were: patient age ≥ 18 years, hospital stay of at least 48 h, current antibiotic therapy or antibiotic therapy within the previous 30 days, loose stools (Bristol stool types 5-7 and stool frequency ≥ 3 within ≤ 24 consecutive hours or exceeding normal for the patient) and signed informed consent form.