ALMEIDA, N. et al. Colite pseudomembranosa : uma casuística de internamentos. []. , 13, 1, pp.06-13. ISSN 0872-8178.

Introduction: pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is an infectious disease that generally begins after antibiotic treatment. Objectives: Characterize the patients with PMC in two Services of a Central Hospital. Material and Methods: we considered the patients admitted in a Medicine (MS) and in a Gastroenterology (GES) Service with primary or secondary diagnosis of PMC, between January/1995 and July/2003 and registered the age, gender, clinical presentation, antibiotics (AB) and other risk factors, diagnostic procedures, complications and treatment. Results: we considered 80 patients (43 - GES and 37 - MS); Mean age - 68,6 ± 17,7 years; 52,5% were male; Antibiotic treatment in the previous 3 months - 85%; Mean time of antibiotic treatment - 10,5 ± 6,1 days. Most Commonly Involved Antibiotics: cephalosporins, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and quinolones. Associated risk factors: renal insufficiency (22,5%); cardiac insufficiency (22,5%); previously dependent patient ( 36,3%). Diagnostic procedures: toxin search-58 patients ( in 36 ), colonoscopy - 62 ( in 53); culture - 23 (in 17 ). The mortality rate was 18,8% (n = 15); recurrence rate - 10% (n = 8). Therapeutics: metronidazol - 37 patients (46,3%); vancomycin - 24 (30%); metronidazol + vancomycin - 12 (15%). Differences Between Services: mean age (MS - 72,9 and GES - 64,9); admission criteria (GES - intestinal disorders, MS - respiratory infections); diagnostic procedures (colonoscopy more frequent in GES); therapeutic options (MS - metronidazol; GES - vancomycin and metronidazol + vancomycin). Conclusions: PMC is more common in older patients that were generally submitted to previous antibiotic treatment, especially with ß-lactamics. Considering two distinct Services we observed differences concerning age, co-morbility and risk factors that implied distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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