[Clinical efficacy of sulbactam/ampicillin in comparison with cefotiam in the treatment of elderly patients with pneumonia]

Author(s): Ishibashi T, Harada Y, Takamoto M, Ebihara M, Sugiyama M, Shimazu K, Iwanaga T, Kishikawa R, Makie T, Tsurutani H, Kisanuki K, Mitsuno T, Hirota N, Furuno T, Hiraoka T, Tsumori Y, Matsuura Y, Namba K, Oe T, Inuyama M, Chifu S, Fukunaga H, Ueno Y, Matsukizono K, Genka K

Affiliation(s): Department of Internal Medicine, National Ohmuta Hospital.

Publication date & source: 1998-12, Jpn J Antibiot., 51(12):746-58.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical efficacy and safety of pareteral sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was compared with cefotiam (CTM) in a randomized clinical trial of pneumonia in the elderly at 13 National Hospitals of Kyushu island. 37 patients received SBT/ABPC 3 g i.v., b.i.d., and 31 patients received CTM 1 g i.v., b.i.d. for 7 to 14 days. 1. 68 patients (37 for SBT/ABPC and 31 for CTM) were evaluated for safety. No statistical differences were noted in the patients' backgrounds of either group. 2. The clinical efficacy of SBT/ABPC was 96.3% (26/27 cases) while CTM was 75.2% (17/23 cases). This was found to be statistically significant (Fisher's exact test: p < 0.05). 3. 100% of evaluated cases (10 for SBT/ABPC and 4 for CTM) showed bacterial elimination. 4. No side effects were observed in the study. 5. Abnormal laboratory findings were noted in 10.8% (4/37 cases) for SBT/ABPC and 3.2% (1/31 cases) for CTM. The major adverse events were mild elevation of GOT, GPT and A1-P for SBT/ABPC, and mild platelets overproduction for CTM. No statistical differences were noted in both groups. These results are consistent with SBT/ABPC as a highly effective antibiotic in the treatment of elderly patients with pneumonia.