Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2022.63.53
The effect of outpatient antibiotic treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 on the outcomes in the emergency department: a propensity score matching study
Armin Atić
; Emergency Department, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Maša Sorić
; Emergency Department, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Stojić
; Emergency Department, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Andrilović
; Emergency Department, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Vlatko Grabovac
; Emergency Department, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To determine the effect of outpatient oral antibiotics
on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients presenting to the emergency department.
Methods This retrospective cohort study with propensity
score matching conducted at University Hospital Dubrava
collected data on all emergency department visits due to
COVID-19 in November 2020. The primary outcome was
hospital admission. The secondary outcomes were pneumonia development, respiratory failure, and required level
of respiratory support.
Results Overall, 1217 visits were evaluated and 525 patients were included in the analysis. After propensity score
matching, 126 pairs of treated patients and controls were
identified. Patients and controls did not differ in physical
examination findings, laboratory test results, radiographic
findings, or defined outcomes before and after matching.
Conclusion This study suggests no benefit of empirical
oral antibiotics for outpatient treatment of COVID-19. In
patients presenting to the emergency department, prior
oral antibiotic treatment did not affect hospital admission
rates or the level of respiratory support required.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
278999
URI
Publication date:
17.2.2022.
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