A new ciprofloxacin stepdown program in the treatment of high-risk febrile neutropenia: a clinical and economic analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine treatment outcomes and economic impact of a ciprofloxacin stepdown program for high-risk febrile neutropenic adults from the hospital's perspective.


METHODS
Unblinded, two-phase, single-center study.


METHODS
Adult leukemia and stem cell transplant unit.


METHODS
High-risk adults with febrile neutropenia.


METHODS
Two conditions were analyzed: a multidisciplinary ciprofloxacin stepdown program involving a reduction in parenteral ciprofloxacin dose from 400 to 200 mg (i.v.-i.v.) and conversion to oral ciprofloxacin (i.v.-p.o.) when criteria were met; and no i.v.-i.v. stepdown program.


RESULTS
Forty-six sequential treatment courses were compared with 42 treatment course from 6-month periods in preintervention (P1) and postintervention (P2) phases. Assessed parameters were clinical and microbiologic outcomes, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and direct medical resource use and costs (1998 $Canadian) for the episode of febrile neutropenia. A decision analytic model was used to map probabilities and costs and to conduct sensitivity analyses. To supplement standard statistical testing, 1,000 bootstrap samples were created, and the mean cost difference was calculated between phases for each sample. Patient demographics, percentage i.v.-p.o. stepdown, and duration of therapy were similar between phases. Clinical success (83% P1, 81% P2), microbiologic eradication (15% P1, 24% P2), and possible ADRs (6% P1, 9% P2) did not differ. Intravenous-to-intravenous dose stepdown occurred in 33% of P2 and no P1 treatment courses (p<0.001). Resource use and costs were similar between phases, although a reduction was seen in the drug's mean total cost/day ($58 P1, $52 P2, p=0.04). There was also a trend toward a decrease in mean total treatment costs ($4,843 P1, $3,493 P2, p=0.08). In 1,000 bootstrap samples, 99.8% showed a cost advantage for P2. The model was robust to sensitivity analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
This intervention influenced administration of ciprofloxacin without apparent compromise of patient outcomes and resulted in a reduction in total costs of treating febrile neutropenia.
CSU Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, British Columbia, Canada.
C A
CA
Marra
L
L
Frighetto
C B
CB
Quaia
M L
ML
de Lemos
D I
DI
Warkentin
F
F
Marra
P J
PJ
Jewesson
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin