Healthcare Costs of Staphylococcus Aureus and Clostridium Difficile Infections in Veterans: Role of Vitamin D Deficiency
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2010
Description
Clostridium difficile and staphylococcal infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to increased healthcare costs. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D may have an antimicrobial role. We examined the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels to staphylococcal and C. difficile infections to determine if vitamin D deficiency was associated with adverse outcomes. In the outpatient setting, vitamin D deficiency in patients with C. difficile and staphylococcal infections were associated with significantly increased total outpatients costs and fee-based consultation. Laboratory expenses had a trend towards higher costs in the vitamin D-deficient group but did not reach statistical significance. The differences were most clearly seen in the in-patient group with enhanced laboratory, pharmacy and radiology costs. These differences resulted in vitamin D-deficient patients with C. difficile or staphylococcal infections having costs more than five times higher than the non-deficient patients. The total length of hospital stay was four times greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. In addition, the total number of hospitalizations was also significantly greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. Surgery costs demonstrated a tendency to be higher in the vitamin D-deficient group but failed to reach statistical significance. Vitamin D deficiency is intimately linked to adverse health outcomes and costs in Veterans with staphylococcal and C. difficile infections in North East Tennessee. We recommend that vitamin D status be checked in patients with these infections and appropriate therapy be instituted to restore vitamin D level to normal in an expeditious manner.
Citation Information
Youssef, D.; Bailey, Beth A.; El Abbassi, A.; Copeland, R.; Adebonojo, Leslie G.; Manning, T.; and Peiris, Alan N.. 2010. Healthcare Costs of Staphylococcus Aureus and Clostridium Difficile Infections in Veterans: Role of Vitamin D Deficiency. Epidemiology and Infection. Vol.138(9). 1322-1327. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268809991543 ISSN: 1469-4409