[Pilot Drug Utilization Study of systemic antifungal agents in the Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Proposal of a study method].
BACKGROUND
The study aims to define a method for the evaluation of the usage of systemic antifungal agents, and test it, in order to be able to develop larger studies.


METHODS
Drug Use Study, pilot, observational, prescription- indication. We proposed a definition of antifungal type of treatment using as host factors the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) criteria, the patient's clinical data as well as any evidence of fungal infection. Adequate use was evaluated by three standards of comparison: summary of product characteristics, hospital recommendations and an experts' committee.


RESULTS
60 antifungal prescriptions were recovered: fluconazole: 39; itraconazole: 6; liposomal amphotericin B: 5; caspofungin: 5; voriconazole: 5. Treatment was started as follows (N;%): microbiological (28;46.7), empirical (22;36.7) and prophylactic use (7;11.7). The indication for antifungal treatment was considered adequate in more than 90% of the cases for the three standards of comparison, whereas selection in 75-83% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The method is considered satisfactory for the evaluation of antifungal treatments and is proposed for being used in larger studies. For all the antifungal agents evaluated, a high degree of appropriateness of use was found, though some conditions are considered improvable.
Alonso
S
S
Servicio de Farmacología Clínica, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid.
Arribi
A
A
Vergas
J
J
Martín
M C
MC
Arce
B
B
Terleira
A
A
Portolés
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D013030:Spain
D000935:Antifungal Agents