title: Changing modalities of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy use over time in Italy: a comparison of two time periods.
abstract: This study aimed to assess the extent and nature of recent changes in the management of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in Italy. We reviewed our previously reported data from 1999 to 2003 and compared them with data from patients who received OPAT from 2005 to 2010. Data for 1175 patients who received OPAT were analysed. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) were the most common infection treated with OPAT in both time periods, but an increase in patients with SSTIs receiving OPAT was observed. By contrast, a decline over time of OPAT use was found for patients affected by pneumonia. Furthermore, ceftriaxone use declined, whereas teicoplanin increased over time. In conclusion, OPAT use has significantly changed over time in Italy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noviello
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.affiliation: AORN dei Colli, D. Cotugno Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pagliano
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Caro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000639:trends*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin