JAMA: 2005-12-21, Vol. 294, No. 23, Author in the Room Audio Interview

Interview with Sandra Dial, MD, MSc, author of Use of Gastric Acid Suppressive Agents and the Risk of Community Acquired Clostridium difficile Associated Disease, published in the December 21 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. Summary Points: 1. Acid suppressive therapy use was associated with an increased risk of CDAD, with PPIs appearing to be associated with a higher risk than h2blockers. These agents, particularly PPIs, are being prescribed with increasing frequency to patients, including situations where the benefits may be small. 2. Although the rate is lower than in the hospital, CDAD is occurring in the community and is being diagnosed more frequently. 3. Prior antibiotic exposure appears to be less frequent in patients diagnosed in the community as compared to patients diagnosed in hospital.