Effect of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic De-escalation on Critically Ill Patient Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) in critically ill patients is controversial. Previous studies mainly focused on mortality; however, data are lacking about superinfection. Therefore, we aimed to identify the impact of ADE versus continuation of therapy on superinfections rate and other outcomes in critically ill patients. Methods This was a two-center retrospective cohort study of adults initiated on broad-spectrum antibiotics in the intensive care unit (ICU) for ≥ 48 h. The primary outcome was the superinfection rate. Secondary outcomes included 30-day infection recurrence, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality. Results 250 patients were included, 125 in each group (ADE group and continuation group). Broad spectrum antibiotic discontinuation occurred at a mean of 7.2 ± 5.2 days in the ADE arm vs. 10.3 ± 7.7 in the continuation arm (P value = 0.001). Superinfection was numerically lower in the ADE group (6.4% vs. 10.4%; P = 0.254), but the difference was not significant. Additionally, the ADE group had shorter days to infection recurrence (P = 0.045) but a longer hospital stay (26 (14–46) vs. 21 (10–36) days; P = 0.016) and a longer ICU stay (14 (6–23) vs. 8 (4–16) days; P = 0.002). Conclusion No significant differences were found in superinfection rates among ICU patients whose broad-spectrum antibiotics were de-escalated versus patients whose antibiotics were continued. Future research into the association between rapid diagnostics with antibiotic de-escalation in the setting of high resistance is warranted.