Risk factor analysis for ceftriaxone-associated liver dysfunction in older patients.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Hepatology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Limited data exists on ceftriaxone (CTRX)-induced liver injury in elderly patients.
• This study aimed to identify risk factors for CTRX-associated liver dysfunction in individuals aged 65 years and above.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate risk factors for ceftriaxone-associated liver dysfunction in patients aged 65 years and older.
• To establish optimal cutoff values for identified risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 105 hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years who received CTRX.
• Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined optimal cutoff values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Main Results:

• Elevated baseline ALT (≥11 U/L) and CRP (≥5.9 mg/dL) were significantly associated with liver dysfunction in univariate analyses.
• Multivariate analysis confirmed ALT (OR 1.14) and CRP (OR 1.07) as independent risk factors.
• Patients with both elevated ALT and CRP exhibited a 50% incidence of liver dysfunction, significantly higher than other groups (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Elevated baseline ALT and CRP levels are associated with increased risk of CTRX-induced liver dysfunction in older adults.
• The study recommends careful monitoring of liver function during and after CTRX administration in this demographic.
• Identifying patients with elevated ALT or CRP can help predict and potentially prevent CTRX-associated liver injury.