Objective To study the clinical features and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD),as well as its related factors
in the intensive care unit(ICU) of a
hospital in Beijing.Methods(Patients with) antibiotic-associated diarrhea admitted to the ICU at Beijing No.6 Hospital from July 2003 to December 2004 were retrospectively studied,as compared to those without it during the same period staying in the same ICU at the same hospital.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for AAD.Results Totally,48 cases with AAD occurred in 192 critically ill patients(25%) during the period.All patients experienced broad spectrum
antibiotics.Univariate analysis showed that patients of ADD were older,with more APACHE II score,longer hospital stay,low plasma level of albumin,and more complications of chronic diseases in the heart,lung,liver,kidney,and so on,as compared to those without it,with statistical significance.Days of application of antibiotics did not relate to the occurrence of ADD.Multivariate analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score,plasma level of albumin,and history of chronic diseases all were independent risk factors for ADD,but age of the patients and length of their hodpital stay did not significantly relate to it.Conclusions Severity of illness,history of chronic diseases and reduced immune function were independent risk factors for ADD.Timely diagnosis and intervention,including protenction of gastrointestinal tract,were important measures for managing the patients with ADD.