title: Cost-effectiveness of ceftriaxone 1 g vs second-generation cephalosporins in the treatment of pneumonia in general medical wards in Germany.
abstract: The cost-effectiveness of ceftriaxone 1 g in the treatment of pneumonia in general medical wards was compared with that of second-generation cephalosporins. A total of 1,706 patients were treated with either a second-generation cephalosporin (cefotiam, cefuroxime) or ceftriaxone (single daily dose of 1 g), and 604 in each group were included in a matched-pair analysis. Cure or improvement in response to monotherapy was observed in 81.4% of patients on cefuroxime/cefotiam vs 91% of those on ceftriaxone (P < 0.0001). Adverse events occurred with equal frequency in both groups (1.9%). In terms of mean hospital costs for antimicrobial medication, the staff required to administer it as well as laboratory and X-ray examinations, effective treatment with ceftriaxone is DM 193/$ 105 (25%) less expensive than effective treatment with a second-generation cephalosporin (P < 0.001). From the perspective of the health insurance, the costs for a patient treated with ceftriaxone are DM 3,910/$ 2,140 vs DM 4,392/$ 2,400 for a patient treated with a second-generation cephalosporin (March 1998: USD 1 = DM 1.83).
authors.affiliation: Institut für Umweltmedizin und Krankenhaushygiene, Klinikum Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Howaldt
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kullmann
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Daschner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002443:Ceftriaxone