Outcomes and Safety of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Select Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) are common in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Data regarding outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in children are sparse. Retrospective data of PEx episodes treated in the hospital versus OPAT collected. Children ≤18 years were included. Outcome measures included FEV₁, FVC, FEF_25-75%P, time to the next PEx, and weight gain. Eighty-three subjects with 290 PEx events were eligible. The hospital group had 242 and the OPAT group had 48 PEx events. The median age was 13.1 years for the OPAT and 13.4 years for the hospital group. Medicaid coverage was higher in the hospital group (82.2%) versus OPAT group (48.9%, P < 0.0001). The hospital group had lower FEV₁%P on admission [72%P (interquartile range [IQR] = 59.7 and 84) versus 80%P (IQR = 70.7 and 89); P = 0.001] and at the end of treatment [86%P (IQR = 72 and 96.7) versus 92%P (IQR = 82 and 101); P = 0.003] in comparison with OPAT group. FEV₁%P improved more in the hospital group, [12%P (IQR = 4 and 20)] versus in the OPAT group [8%P (IQR = 2 and 22.5); (P = 0.41)] but did not quite reach a statistically significant level. The hospital intravenous (IV) group gained more weight (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between the 2 groups in time to the first PEx (P = 0.47) and adverse events. OPAT was safe and comparable with hospital therapy in a select group of children with CF. Hospital IV should be considered for sicker children and families with limited resources.