2.3. Data abstraction and analysis
Data variables recorded included patient age, sex, and any predisposing
illnesses that preceded the initial diagnosis of CDI;
antibiotic agent or agents used immediately prior to the initial
diagnosis of CDI; date when CDI was diagnosed; signs and symptoms
reported with the initial episode of CDI; specific laboratory
tests used to confirm the diagnosis of CDI; and name, dose and
duration of the antibiotic used to treat the CDI. The same set of data
was collected for each recurrence of CDI. Patients were defined as
immunocompromised if they had been previously diagnosed with
a malignant illness or were actively treated with a systemic corticosteroid
or a chemotherapeutic agent.