Predictors of receipt of a fluoroquinolone versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for treatment of acute pyelonephritis in women in Manitoba, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
The increasing and comparatively high proportion of uropathogens in Canada resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) may be partially responsible for the increasing use of fluoroquinolones. A number of patient-specific variables have been identified as risk factors for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. However, variables unrelated to need, have also been associated with receipt of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We identified patient variables associated with receipt of a fluoroquinolone versus TMP-SMX for treatment of acute pyelonephritis.


METHODS
Healthcare claims from the province of Manitoba, Canada for the period February 1996 to March 1999 were examined to identify episodes of pyelonephritis in non-pregnant females between 18 and 65 years of age treated with TMP-SMX or a fluoroquinolone. Patient variables were identified based on healthcare claims review and data from Statistics Canada. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of receipt of a fluoroquinolone.


RESULTS
A total of 1084 women met inclusion criteria; 653 treated with TMP-SMX and 431 treated with a fluoroquinolone. Age, income, rural residence, recent antibiotic use, recent hospitalization and presentation to an emergency room (ER) were positively associated with receipt of a fluoroquinolone.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient variables reportedly associated with an increased probability of resistant organisms (e.g., age, recent antibiotic use and recent hospitalization) were significantly associated with an increased probability of receipt of fluoroquinolones. However, variables unrelated to antibiotic resistance (e.g., income, rural residence and presentation to an ER) were also significantly associated with receipt of a fluoroquinolone.
Carrie
Anita G
AG
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. acarrie@pharmacy.ualberta.ca
Metge
Colleen J
CJ
Collins
David M
DM
Harding
Godfrey K M
GK
Zhanel
George G
GG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008350:Manitoba; D008875:Middle Aged; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination