Impact of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Ischemic Stroke Patients on Reduction of Hospital Stay.

Abstract

Background: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with post-stroke infections significantly impacting patient outcomes. The use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent these infections and reduce hospital stay durations has been a subject of debate in the medical community. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of prophylactic antibiotic administration on the length of hospital stays in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: Conducted at the Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, this randomized control trial involved 115 patients, divided into two groups. Group 1 (55 patients) received prophylactic ceftriaxone, while Group 2 (60 patients) did not receive antibiotics. Inclusion criteria were a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 13 and above, with no pre-existing conditions necessitating antibiotics or complications from the stroke. The primary outcome was the duration of hospital stay. Results: Group 1 had an average hospital stay of 6.65 days (SD: 2.06 days), while Group 2 had an average of 6.81 days (SD: 1.98 days). The P value of 0.677 indicated no statistically significant difference in hospital stay durations between the groups. Both groups had similar age and GCS score distributions. Conclusion: The administration of prophylactic antibiotics to ischemic stroke patients did not significantly reduce hospital stay durations. Given the risks associated with antibiotic resistance and side effects, a patient-specific approach to prophylactic antibiotic use is recommended. Future research should focus on identifying specific patient subgroups that may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics and optimal timing for their administration.