A comparison of levofloxacin and moxifloxacin use in hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients in the US: focus on length of stay.
OBJECTIVE
Length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs were compared among patients admitted for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and initially treated with either levofloxacin 750 mg intravenous (IV) or with moxifloxacin 400 mg IV. Hospital-related complications and relationship of LOS and comorbidities were descriptively examined.


METHODS
A retrospective database study was conducted of adult patients admitted for CAP and given levofloxacin 750 mg IV or moxifloxacin 400 mg IV through the first 3 days of hospitalization, using the Premier Perspective comparative database. Cohorts were matched 1:1 by hospital geographic location, by coarse caliper propensity scores using all baseline covariates, and by Mahalanobis metric matching based on age and severity (All Patient Refined-Diagnosis-related Groups Severity of Illness (APR-DRG SOI) index). Comparisons between groups were further adjusted for characteristics that remained imbalanced after matching using generalized estimating equation methodology.


RESULTS
The initial sample of 3868 patients (levofloxacin = 827; moxifloxacin = 3041) was reduced to 1594 (797 patients per treatment group) after matching. Analyses of matched cohorts showed that the mean hospital LOS was significantly shorter for patients treated with levofloxacin 750 mg IV than for those patients treated with moxifloxacin 400 mg IV (5.8 vs. 6.4 days, respectively; least squares mean difference = 0.54 days; p = 0.020). Hospitalization costs were also lower for the levofloxacin 750 mg IV-treated patients (least squares mean difference = US$129; p = 0.753). There were no significant differences in the percentage of patients experiencing complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Although claims databases provide large sample sizes and reflect routine care, they do have several inherent limitations. Since randomization of subjects is not possible, adequate statistical techniques must be used to ensure treatment groups are balanced with respect to patient and clinical characteristics. In addition, data may be missing or miscoded.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective study suggests that among patients hospitalized with CAP, initial treatment with levofloxacin 750 mg IV is associated with a significantly shorter mean hospital LOS compared with treatment with moxifloxacin 400 mg IV. The clinical implications of a shorter hospital LOS include improved patient and economic outcomes.
Schein
Jeff
J
Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, Raritan, NJ, USA.
Janagap-Benson
Carmela
C
Grant
Richard
R
Sikirica
Vanja
V
Doshi
Dilesh
D
Olson
William
W
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D007902:Length of Stay; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin; D000077266:Moxifloxacin