A cost-effectiveness analysis of antibiotic therapy in macrolide-resistant community-acquired pneumonia
Stephanie R Earnshaw1, Sean D Candrilli, Ancilla W Fernandes
1Health Economics of RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. searnshaw@rti.org
Abstract:
Successful treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can have substantial implications. As rates of antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae--the most common pathogen of CAP-increase, so does the likelihood that first-line pharmacotherapy will fail. Thus, the cost effectiveness and budgetary effects of treating CAP with amoxicillin/ clavulanate (AMX/CLA) extended-release (ER) and clarithromycin ER were analyzed. The model considers incidence of macrolide and AMX/ CLA-susceptible and nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae in empiric therapy. Clinical cure rates from multicenter clinical trials and published literature were used to calculate average treatment costs and success. Amoxicillin/ clavulanate ER resulted in a higher percentage of patients cured compared with clarithromycin ER (88.7% vs. 82.4%, respectively) and lower average per-patient treatment costs (dollar 437.70 vs. dollar 548.14, respectively).
Insights
Amoxicillin/clavulanate extended-release (AMX/CLA ER) offers a more cost-effective treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) than clarithromycin ER. AMX/CLA ER achieved higher cure rates and lower costs, addressing rising antibiotic resistance concerns.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics and Infectious Disease Management
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Treatment Efficacy
Background:
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) treatment success is critical, yet rising Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance complicates first-line therapies.
- The increasing prevalence of resistant S. pneumoniae necessitates evaluating alternative treatment strategies for CAP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact of treating CAP using amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMX/CLA) extended-release (ER) versus clarithromycin ER.
- To compare clinical cure rates and average treatment costs between AMX/CLA ER and clarithromycin ER for CAP.
Main Methods:
- A pharmacoeconomic model was developed, incorporating the incidence of macrolide- and AMX/CLA-susceptible and nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae.
- Clinical cure rates were derived from multicenter trials and published literature to calculate average treatment costs and success rates.
Main Results:
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate ER demonstrated a higher clinical cure rate (88.7%) compared to clarithromycin ER (82.4%).
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate ER resulted in significantly lower average per-patient treatment costs ($437.70) versus clarithromycin ER ($548.14).
Conclusions:
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate ER is a more effective and cost-effective treatment option for CAP compared to clarithromycin ER.
- These findings support the use of AMX/CLA ER in managing CAP, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance.
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