Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St, Box 466, Torrance, CA 90509.
To analyze the costs of nitrofurantoin use compared to those of other antibiotics recommended for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI).
We used a decision analysis model to perform cost-minimization and sensitivity analyses to determine the level of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and fluoroquinolone resistance that would favor the use of nitrofurantoin as a first-line empirical treatment of uncomplicated UTIs. The model used a program perspective to evaluate costs.
Nitrofurantoin was cost-minimizing when the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance exceeded 12% among uropathogens or the prevalence of TMP-SMX resistance exceeded 17%. On 2-way sensitivity analysis, variables that had a significant impact on our cost-minimization threshold included cost of antibiotics and probability of clinical cure with antibiotics.
From a payer perspective, nitrofurantoin appears to be a reasonable alternative to TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones for empirical treatment of uncomplicated UTIs, especially given the current prevalence of antibiotic resistance among community uropathogens. On the basis of efficacy, cost, and low impact on promoting antimicrobial resistance, clinicians should consider nitrofurantoin as a reasonable alternative to TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones for first-line therapy for uncomplicated UTIs.
Written by:
McKinnell JA, Stollenwerk NS, Jung CW, Miller LG. Are you the author?
Reference: Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Jun;86(6):480-8.
doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0800
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21576512
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