ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Clostridium difficile infection is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested that statin users may have a lower risk of C. difficile infection, although the results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of summarizing all available data to assess the risk of C. difficile infection among statin users versus non-users. Methods: A literature review was performed using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to October 2017. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies that compared the risk of C. difficile infection among statin users versus non-users were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results: Six case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The risk of C. difficile infection among statin users was significantly lower than non-users with the pooled OR of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.61-0.89). The statistical heterogeneity of this study was high (I[2]=90%). Interpretation & conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated a decreased risk of C. difficile infection among statin users versus non-users. Further studies are required to clarify the role of statins for prevention of C. difficile infection in clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
A 34-year-old woman, gravida 6 with 10 weeks of gestation was admitted because of abdominal pain and fainting. On physical examination she had hypotension, was pale with abdominal tenderness and guarding. Culdocentesis yielded unclotted blood. Immediate laparotomy was performed, because a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made. About 2,500 ml of fresh blood was found in the abdominal cavity. Appendicular artery tear caused active arterial bleeding. The torn appendicular artery was observed to be the consequence of perforated appendicitis, which, in turn, was caused by a faecalith. Appendectomy was performed and she made a good recovery.