A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: A Prior Appendectomy Does Not Increase the Risk of Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection or Recurrence.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between a prior appendectomy and severity of Clostridioides difficile infection. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate this association.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Comprehensive review of multiple databases was performed up to May 2022. The primary outcome assessed was the rate of severe Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with a prior appendectomy compared to patients with an appendix. The secondary outcomes assessed were recurrence, mortality, and colectomy rates associated with Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with a prior appendectomy compared to patients with an appendix.

RESULTS

Eight studies with 666 patients with a prior appendectomy and 3580 patients without an appendectomy were included. The odds ratio of severe Clostridioides difficile infection in patients who underwent prior appendectomy was 1.03 (95% CI 0.6-1.78, p = 0.92). The odds ratio of recurrence in patients who underwent prior appendectomy was 1.29 (95% CI 0.82-2.02, p = 0.28). The odds ratio of colectomy due to Clostridioides difficile infection in patients who underwent prior appendectomy was 2.16 (95% CI 1.27-3.67, p = 0.004). The odds ratio of mortality due to Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with a prior appendectomy was 0.92 (95% CI 0.62-1.37, p = 0.68).

CONCLUSION

Patients with appendectomy are not at increased risk for developing severe Clostridioides difficile infection or recurrence. Further prospective studies are needed to establish these associations.