Cost-effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pneumonia in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LAHNC).

Abstract

6075 Background: Recently, we reported about a prospective randomized study (PANTAP-study) investigating the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in LAHNC pts treated with CRT. We did not show a reduction in pneumonias, but did find a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Detailed quality of life (QoL) results have been reported elsewhere. Now we present the results of the cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods: A multicenter study was performed in LAHNC pts treated with CRT, i.e.cisplatin weekly or 3-weekly combined with radiotherapy for 42 or 49 days. The standard treatment group (STG) received no prophylactic antibiotics; the intervention group (IG) received prophylactic antibiotics, i.e. amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, from day 29 until 14 days after completion of CRT. QoL questionnaires, including EQ-5D, QLQ-C30, EORTC Head&Neck35 and PSSHN, were taken before start of CRT, before start of antibiotics, at the end of CRT and at the end of follow up. Costs of hospitalization, prophylactic antibiotics, pain medication and anti-emetics were taken into account for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Results: A total of 94 pts were randomized; 48 pts to the STG and 47 pts to the IG. Between the STG and IG we found a difference per patient in costs of hospitalization of €2076 and €682 (p = 0.03), respectively, but not in the costs for pain medication per patient €78 and €46, respectively, (p = 0.382). The total costs of hospitalization in combination with prophylactic antibiotics, pain medication and anti-emetics were €2462 and €1037 (p = 0.046) in the STG and IG respectively, leading to a difference in total costs per patient of €1425 in favor of the IG. There were no significant differences in QoL between the groups. Conclusions: Prophylactic antibiotics during CRT for LAHNC did not reduce the rate of pneumonias, but reduced the number of hospitalizations in the IG, which led to a significant reduction in costs. Given the lack of adverse clinical effects, the same QoL, the cost savings and the impact of costs of hospitalization on health care globally, we recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics in LAHNC pts receiving CRT. Clinical trial information: NCT01598402.