ArticleUnited European gastroenterology journal2015
Increasing ultraviolet light exposure is associated with reduced mortality from Clostridium difficile infection.
Article in United European gastroenterology journal, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Systemic effects of sunlight: 10-year review of cardiovascular, infection and cancer outcomes.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2026Review
- The role of UVR and vitamin D on T cells and inflammatory bowel disease.Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology · 2017Review
- Addition of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to the Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index improves 90-day mortality prediction in critically ill patients.Journal of intensive care · 2016Article
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4 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an increasingly common cause of inpatient mortality. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with more aggressive CDI. We aimed to determine if average annual ultraviolet light (UV) exposure was associated with mortality in patients with CDI.
methodsWe used the US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004-2011 to assess the mortality risk in patients with a diagnosis of CDI (as per ICD-9CM 008.45). Annual average state UV exposure was assigned to each hospitalization. Logistic regression was used to determine the effects of UV exposure on mortality, controlling for age, gender, race and other comorbidities.
resultsDuring the study period, there were 2.61 million hospitalizations with a diagnosis of CDI. The mortality rate was 9.0%. In univariate analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of inpatient mortality for the UV index was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.99; p = 0.008) per unit of UV exposure. In a multivariable model adjusting for age, gender, race, Charlson-Deyo index, season and coexisting inflammatory bowel disease, the UV index remained a protective predictor, with an OR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96; p < 0.001). In the multivariate model, a seasonal effect was also present, with the highest risk of inpatient mortality in the period from January to March (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.08-1.14) and the lowest risk, from July to September (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98).
conclusionsAn increase in UV exposure index is associated with a reduced risk of inpatient mortality in patients with CDI. A seasonal effect is also present, with the highest risk of death during winter months. Further studies exploring the role of UV light in CDI are necessary.
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