Life after colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis: a 7-year follow up study

BackgroundThe long-term prognosis of patients undergoing colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis has not been well studied. The authors present 7-year survival trends in such patients.MethodsPatients were identified through a pathologic database. Medical records were reviewed and follow-up phone calls made to determine relevant patient history, longevity, and quality of life.ResultsThe 61 patients identified had mean and median survival of 18.1 and 3.2 months, respectively, and 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, and 7-year mortality of 68.5%, 79.6%, 88.9%, and 90.7%, respectively. Previous C difficile infection, hypotension, requirement of vasopressors, mental status changes, elevated arterial lactate, decreased platelet counts, intubation, and longer duration on nonoperative therapy were associated with in-hospital mortality. There were no factors correlated with long-term survival.ConclusionsPatients who require colectomy for fulminant C difficile colitis have a poor prognosis with poor long-term survival and significant morbidity. Although there are several factors associated with in-hospital mortality, there were no factors correlated with long-term survival.