Influence of prior appendectomy and cholecystectomy on Clostridioides difficile infection recurrence and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Remote appendectomy was linked to increased incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). We evaluated the effect of absence of vermiform appendix and/or gallbladder on recurrence rate and severity of CDI.

METHODS: We assessed a systemwide patient cohort diagnosed with initial CDI in 2014 (n = 250). The primary outcome was recurrence.

RESULTS: Appendix and gallbladder were absent among 47 and 64 patients, respectively. CDI recurrence rate was similar among patients without and with appendix (24/47, 51.1% versus 90/203 patients, 44.3%; p = 0.404) and similar among patients without and with gallbladder (29/64 patients, 45.3% versus 85/186 patients, 45.7%; p = 0.957). Mortality was similar between appendectomy versus appendix in situ patients (3/47, 6.4% versus 9/203, 4.4%; p = 0.573), but higher mortality rate was seen among those without gallbladder (7/64 patients with prior cholecystectomy, 10.9% versus 5/186 patients with intact gallbladder, 2.7%; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: Clostridioides difficile recurrence rate is not affected by remote appendectomy or cholecystectomy. Patients with prior cholecystectomy experience higher mortality rates associated with their CDI.