National trends in emergency department antibiotic prescribing for elders with urinary tract infection, 1996-2005.
OBJECTIVE
Given reported increases in antibiotic resistance among elders with urinary tract infection (UTI) and pyelonephritis, the authors identified national rates and trends in emergency department (ED) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and fluoroquinolone prescribing for older adults from 1996 to 2005.


METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis utilizing the ED component of the 1996-2005 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). The authors included NHAMCS ED entries aged >or=18 years with a diagnosis of UTI or pyelonephritis; pregnancy was excluded. Records were divided into 18-64 years ("adults") and >or=65 years ("elders"). Primary outcome measures were prescription of TMP-SMX monotherapy, fluoroquinolone monotherapy, and combination therapy with two or more antibiotics. Estimated visit totals and rates were calculated and trends analyzed.


RESULTS
From 1996 to 2005, there were 5 million elder ED visits for UTI or pyelonephritis. Approximately 9.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.9% to 11%) of elders received TMP-SMX monotherapy with rates decreasing over time (p-value for trend = 0.031). Overall, 35% (95% CI = 32% to 38%) of elders received fluoroquinolone monotherapy, which increased from 21% (95% CI = 14% to 27%) in 1996 to 45% (95% CI = 39% to 50%) in 2005 (p-value for trend < 0.001). Therapy with a fluoroquinolone plus a second antibiotic was used in only 4.2% (95% CI = 3.1% to 5.3%) of older patients.


CONCLUSIONS
From 1996 to 2005, TMP-SMX monotherapy in elder ED patients decreased while fluoroquinolone therapy increased. The majority of older patients receiving fluoroquinolone therapy received a single agent. Given the continued prevalence of monotherapy for elder ED patients with UTI or pyelonephritis, antibiotic resistance patterns in these patients should be better characterized to ensure institution of appropriate empiric therapy.
Caterino
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. jeffrey.caterino@osumc.edu
Weed
Sarah Grace
SG
Espinola
Janice A
JA
Camargo
Carlos A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination