Epidemiology, risk factors and treatments for antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of antibiotic s and recent findings on the epidemiology, etiologies and treatment strateg ies are reviewed. Rates of AAD vary from 5 to 39% depending upon the specif ic type of antibiotic. The severity of AAD may include uncomplicated diarrh ea, colitis or pseudomembranous colitis. The pathogenesis of AAD may be med iated through the disruption of the normal flora and overgrowth of pathogen s or through metabolic imbalances. The impact of AAD is reflected by increa sed hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased rates of comorbidity . The key to decreasing these consequences is prompt diagnosis followed by effective treatment and institution of control measures.