Risk Factors for Cefoperazone/Sulbactam-Induced Coagulation Disorder

Cefoperazone/sulbactam is a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination effective against intra-abdominal, urinary tract, and respiratory infections. Although some studies have suggested that cefoperazone/sulbactam is associated with coagulation disorders, it remains debatable whether the combination of cefoperazone/sulbactam with tigecycline or valproic acid increases the risk of bleeding, as both drugs can lead to coagulation disorders. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulopathy.

This was a single-center, retrospective, nested case-control study. The sample groups were derived from individuals registered at the Department of Neurosurgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for demographic data. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the matched odds ratios representing the odds of cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulopathy (CIC), and a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off conditions.

After PSM, 155 and 56 patients were included in the control and case groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, treatment duration, and total dose were independent risk factors of cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulation disorders. Concomitant use of vitamin K was an independent protective factor against CIC. The optimal cut-off for the length of treatment was 5 d, and the cut-off for the total dose was 48 g.

Tigecycline and valproic acid were not associated with CIC. Advanced age and long treatment duration are risk factors for CIC. Supplementation with vitamin K during cefoperazone/sulbactam treatment was associated with a reduced risk.