Ceftriaxone plus once daily aminoglycoside with filgrastim for treatment of febrile neutropenia: early hospital discharge vs. Standard In-patient care.
BACKGROUND
In febrile neutropenic patients, ceftriaxone plus an aminoglycoside is effective for the treatment of infection, while filgrastim reduces the extent and duration of neutropenia. Because the once daily dosing regimen of this combination permits ambulatory treatment, there is a need to test criteria for early hospital discharge.


METHODS
Hospitalized adult patients with febrile neutropenia (following chemotherapy) considered to be potentially treatable on a follow-up out-patient basis were entered into this open-label, multinational study. Patients received a once daily combination of ceftriaxone for > or =5 days, aminoglycoside for > or =2 days, and filgrastim until the absolute neutrophil count was > or =1.0x10(9)/l for 2 days. Those initially responding to therapy (reduction of fever by > or =1 degrees C within 72 h, and clinical improvement) were randomized into standard in-patient or follow-up out-patient treatment groups, the latter patients being discharged from hospital early, after meeting defined criteria.


RESULTS
105 patients were enrolled, of whom 21 initial non-responders were not randomized. Efficacy was evaluable in 80 patients. Success (resolution of fever and symptoms, maintained for 7 days after cessation of therapy, and eradication of infecting pathogens) was similar among in-patients (40/42, 95%) and out-patients (34/38, 89%). The duration of hospitalization was shorter for out-patients than in-patients (median of 4 vs. 6 days, respectively). No hospital readmissions were necessary in out-patients. All other efficacy parameters assessed were comparable in both groups, as was tolerability/safety. One potentially drug-related death was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who satisfy prospectively defined criteria for early discharge can be treated safely on an out-patient basis with a regimen of once daily ceftriaxone plus an aminoglycoside with filgrastim. In addition to reducing healthcare costs, it may improve patients' quality of life.
Rapoport
B L
BL
The Medical Oncology Centre of Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa. brapoport@icon.co.za
Sussmann
O
O
Herrera
M V
MV
Schlaeffer
F
F
Otero
J C
JC
Pavlovsky
S
S
Iglesias
L
L
Stein
G
G
Charnas
R
R
Heitlinger
E
E
Handschin
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D000069585:Filgrastim