Impact of first-line vs second-line antibiotics for the treatment of acute uncomplicated sinusitis.
BACKGROUND
Studies suggest little benefit in relief of acute sinusitis symptoms from the use of newer and more expensive (second-line) antibiotics instead of older and less expensive (first-line) antibiotics. However, researchers have failed to include development of complications and cost of care in their analyses.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness and cost of first-line with second-line antibiotics for the treatment of acute uncomplicated sinusitis in adults.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study using a pharmaceutical database containing demographic, clinical (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision), treatment, and charge information for 29 102 adults with a diagnosis of acute sinusitis receiving initial antibiotic treatment between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 1997.


METHODS
Absence of additional claim for an antibiotic in the 28 days after the initial antibiotic, presence of a claim for a second antibiotic, serious complications of sinusitis, and direct charges and use for the acute sinusitis treatment.


RESULTS
There were 17 different antibiotics prescribed in this study. The majority (59.5%) of patients received 1 of the first-line antibiotics. The overall success rate was 90.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.0%-90.8%). The success rate for the 17 329 patients who received a first-line antibiotic was 90.1% and for the 11 773 patients who received a second-line antibiotic was 90.8%, a difference of 0.7% (95% CI, 0.01%-1.40%; P<.05). There were 2 cases of periorbital cellulitis, one in each treatment group. The average total direct charge for patients receiving a first-line antibiotic was $68.98 and a second-line antibiotic was $135.17, a difference of $66.19 (95% CI, $64.95-$67.43; P<.001). This difference was due entirely to the difference in charge of antibiotics and not other charges, such as professional fees, laboratory tests, or emergency department visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated with a first-line antibiotic for acute uncomplicated sinusitis did not have clinically significant differences in outcomes vs those treated with a second-line antibiotic. However, cost of care was significantly higher for patients treated with a second-line antibiotic.
Piccirillo
J F
JF
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8115, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. piccirij@msnotes.wustl.edu
Mager
D E
DE
Frisse
M E
ME
Brophy
R H
RH
Goggin
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents