Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of antibiotic treatments for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB).
BACKGROUND
The antibacterial activity, tolerability profile and duration of treatment associated with antibiotics are important therapy attributes when considering treating patients for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), such as community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of oral antibiotics used in the treatment of LRTIs.


METHODS
A cohort of inhaled corticosteroids users who were diagnosed with a LRTI and dispensed a prescription for one of the antibiotics under study on the same day as the diagnosis was selected from the administrative health databases of the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). The risks of treatment failure were estimated using a logistic regression analysis. Treatment failure was defined as another prescription for any antibiotic, an emergency room visit or hospitalization for LRTIs, or death, in the 20 days following the dispensation of the first antibiotic prescribed. A cost-minimization analysis was performed in which only the drug costs related to the first antibiotic filled were considered.


RESULTS
A total of 3,610 episodes of LRTIs were studied. There were no significant differences between antibiotics in terms of their respective adjusted odds ratios for rates of failure. However, the lower cost associated with azithromycin was significantly different from the costs associated with any other antibiotic (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical effectiveness appears to be similar amongst second line antibiotics that are commonly used in the treatment of LRTIs in the community. Using a cost-minimization analysis, azithromycin appears to be the most cost-effective antibiotic treatment in this setting.
Lavoie
Frédéric
F
Centre de Recherche de l'Hôtel-Dieu du Centre Hospitalier, Université de Montréal.
Blais
Lucie
L
Castilloux
Anne-Marie
AM
Scalera
Alissa
A
LeLorier
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011792:Quebec; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents