Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) impact on healthcare systems is concerning due to high treatment cost and increased hospitalization time. We found that the incidence rate of CDI increased annually at Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH). The study aimed to establish monitoring indicators for hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics to prevent CDI occurrences. Methods: A case–control study was conducted to identify the risk factors of CDI among patients who were admitted to TMUH and tested for C. difficile. Patient demographics, patient history, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Results: Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 score (NRS 2002) in CDI patients was significantly lower than in non-CDI patients (3.1 ± 1.7 vs. 3.5 ± 1.6). The percentage of tube feeding in CDI patients was significantly lower than in non-CDI patients (23.0% vs. 36.7%), whereas parenteral nutrition was higher (8.8% vs. 3.8%). Age (OR = 1.03, p = 0.00), NRS 2002 score (OR =0.86, p = 0.05), comorbidity with cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.73, p = 0.03) or pulmonary disease (OR = 3.72, p = 0.00), patients with tube feeding (OR = 2.02, p = 0.01), and the number of medications (OR = 1.15, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of CDI. Conclusion: This study revealed that nutritional factors, including NRS 2002 scores and feeding routes, were associated with CDI, emphasizing the importance of nutritional factors as key predictors in managing and preventing CDI.

There exists an intermediate group of individuals whose glucose levels do not meet the criteria for diabetes yet are higher than those considered normal (prediabetes mellitus (preDM)). Those people have a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future. Gynura bicolor (GB) is a red-purple-colored vegetable, which is common in Taiwan. GB has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects in previous studies. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of serving two serving sizes of GB every day on the glycemic control and antioxidant ability of preDM subjects. According to the age and anthropometry data of the participates, we assigned them into a control or GB group for the 8-week intervention and 4-week washout period. Data of anthropometry and biochemical analysis were collected at 0, 8 and 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed, and we collected dietary records on the baseline and Week 8. Both groups received nutrition education and a diet plan individually. After intervention, the fasting glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) values were significantly decreased in the GB group. HOMA-IR and QUICKI values were improved, and antioxidant activity was increased in the GB group. GB could improve glycemic control and decrease oxidative stress because of its large amounts of polyphenols.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of probiotics in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients undergoing antibiotic therapy for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Probiotics were administered to 29 patients, with twice-daily doses for 7 days following the completion of antibiotic treatment. In the probiotic group, while stool form showed no significant change, there was a significant decrease in stool frequency. Conversely, the control group exhibited improved stool form but not frequency. The probiotic group maintained a significant difference in stool form during the follow-up period. Additionally, the control group showed a positive correlation between stool form, frequency, antibiotic therapy, and intensive care unit admission, which was not observed in the probiotic group. These findings suggest that supplementing with probiotics can effectively normalize stool form in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients undergoing antibiotic treatment for CDAD, highlighting the potential benefits of probiotic intervention in this specific population.