Antibiotics with high risk (odds ratio 2.9 to 3.2, data of Slimings and Riley):
(1) third generation cephalosporins
(2) clindamycin
Antibiotics with moderate risk (odds ratio 2.1 to 2.2, data of Slimings and Riley):
(1) second generation cephalosporins
(2) fourth generation cephalosporins
Antibiotics with a mild to moderate risk (odds ratio 1.5 to 1.8, data of Slimings and Riley):
(1) carbapenems
(2) trimethoprim/sulfonamides
(3) fluroquinolones
(4) penicillins
Brown et al associated macrolides with mild to moderate risk.
The risk associated with fluoroquinolones varies with different studies, with some reporting a greater association than others.
Factors confounding the correlations:
(1) pre-existing Clostridium difficile disease
(2) adherence with antibiotic therapy
(3) regimen chosen (including dose and route)
