Doenças Infecciosas Clínicas: Acesso Aberto

Effectiveness and Cost Comparison of Oral and Intravenous Antibiotics for Treating Severe Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Johan Maertens

Severe infections, such as sepsis, require prompt and aggressive treatment with antibiotics to prevent morbidity and mortality. While intravenous (IV) antibiotics have been the standard of care for treating severe infections, oral antibiotics have the potential to provide a more convenient and cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of oral versus IV antibiotics for the treatment of severe infections.

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with severe infections admitted to a tertiary care hospital over a 2-year period. The study included adult patients with a diagnosis of sepsis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections requiring hospitalization. Patients were divided into two groups based on the route of antibiotic administration: oral or IV.