Safety of Procalcitonin Guided Early Discontinuation of Antibiotic Therapy among Children Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy and Having Low-Risk Febrile Neutropenia: A Randomized Feasibility Trial (ProFenC Study)

In low-risk febrile neutropenia (LR-FN), the safety of early discontinuation of empiric antibiotics without marrow recovery is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of procalcitonin (PCT) guided early discontinuation of antibiotics in LR-FN. In this trial, children with LR-FN with an afebrile period of at least 24 h, sterile blood culture, and negative/normalized PCT were randomized at 72 h of starting antibiotics into two groups: intervention arm and standard arm. The antibiotics were stopped in the intervention arm regardless of absolute neutrophil count (ANC), while in the standard arm, antibiotics were continued for at least 7 days or until recovery of ANC (>500/mm3). The primary objective was to determine the treatment failure rates, and the secondary objective was to compare the duration of antibiotics and all-cause mortality between the two arms. A total of 46 children with LR-FN were randomized to either the intervention arm (n = 23) or the standard arm (n = 23). Treatment failure was observed in 2/23 (8.7%) of patients in the intervention arm compared to 1/23 (4.3%) in the standard arm [RR: 2 (95% CI: 0.19-20.6); p = 0.55]. The median duration of antibiotics in the intervention arm and standard arm were 3 days vs 7 days (P= <0.001). There was no mortality in this study. PCT-guided early discontinuation of empirical antibiotics in LR-FN is feasible. There was no significant difference observed in treatment failure between the early discontinuation of antibiotics vs standard therapy. The total duration of antibiotic exposure was significantly lesser in the discontinuation arm. Further, larger multicenter studies are needed to confirm the finding of this study.

Result reporting and early discontinuation of sepsis trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis is a leading cause of death from infectious disease or traumatic injury. The prevalence and predictor of results underreporting and early stop of sepsis clinical trials remain poorly studied. To fill the gap, we designed this study to characterize sepsis clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, particularly to recognize features related to premature discontinuation and lack of results reporting.

METHODS

We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to include interventional sepsis trials up to July 8, 2022. All structured data of the identified trials were extracted and reviewed. A descriptive analysis was conducted. Cox and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the significance of the association of trial characteristics with early termination and lack of results reporting.

RESULTS

A total of 1654 records were identified, among which 1061 eligible trials were reserved. Results underreporting happened in 91.6% of these sepsis interventional trials. 12.0% were discontinued. Moreover, factors that led to the higher risk of discontinuation were the US-registered clinical research and the small sample size. The factor that contributed to results underreporting was non-US-registered clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

The frequent discontinuation and underreporting of sepsis trials have highly impaired the progress of sepsis management and studies. Therefore, solutions to early discontinuation and improving the quality of results dissemination remain an urgent problem.

Early Discontinuation of Antibiotics in Patients Admitted With Clinically Suspected Serious Infection but Negative Cultures: Retrospective Cohort Study of Practice Patterns and Outcomes at 111 US Hospitals

Background

The optimal duration for antibiotics in patients hospitalized with culture-negative serious infection (CNSI) is unknown. We compared outcomes in patients with CNSI treated with 3 or 4 vs ≥5 days of antibiotics.

Methods

CNSI was identified among adults admitted to 111 US hospitals between 2009 and 2014 via electronic health record data, defined as suspected serious infection (blood cultures drawn and ≥3 days of antibiotics) and negative culture- and nonculture-based tests for infection. Patients treated with antibiotics on their last hospital day and patients with diagnosis codes for sepsis-mimicking conditions were excluded. Among patients without fevers/hypothermia or vasopressors by day 3, we calculated odds ratios for in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice associated with 3 or 4 vs ≥5 days of antibiotics, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Antibiotics were discontinued in 3 or 4 days in 1862 (9%) of 20 714 patients with CNSI. Early discontinuation was not associated with higher mortality odds overall (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.27; 95% CI, .98-1.65), in patients presenting with (1.39; .88-2.22) and without sepsis (1.17; .81-1.69), and in those with pulmonary (1.23; .65-2.34) and nonpulmonary CNSI (1.30; .99-1.72). Early discontinuation appeared detrimental with propensity score weighting (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03-1.80) and when retaining patients with sepsis mimics (1.38; 1.16-1.65), but it was protective (0.48; .37-.64]) when retaining patients who received antibiotics on their last hospital day.

Conclusions

Early discontinuation of antibiotics in CNSI was not associated with significant harm in our primary analysis, but different conclusions based on alternative analytic decisions, as well as risk of residual confounding, indicate that randomized controlled trials are needed.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: A cross-sectional analysis of characteristics, early discontinuation, and reporting results

Objective Contrast-enhanced ultrasound offers numerous potential applications in diagnostic and interventional radiology. However, systematic studies on the status of clinical studies are limited. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of registered contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies on ClinicalTrials.gov and identify features associated with early discontinuation and results reporting.

METHODS

A data set containing all contrast-enhanced ultrasound clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov registered was downloaded. Then, a cross-sectional descriptive study of clinical contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies was conducted. Cox and logistic regression of early discontinuation and reported results, respectively, were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 225 studies were identified; 174 were interventional and 51 were observational. Regarding the outcomes measure, 175 (77.78%) were diagnosis-oriented, and the remaining 50 (22.22%) were interventional radiology studies. The most common regions of interest were abdominal (56%), superficial (14.22%), or vascular (7.11%) organs. As of the contrast agents, SonoVue/Lumason (39.11%) was most frequently used, followed by Definity (20.89%) and Sonazoid (8.89%). Of all contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies, 32 (14.22%) were discontinued early, and 29 (12.89%) completed studies reported their results. Cox regression analysis revealed that a large sample size and US registration were factors reducing early discontinuation risk. Among completed studies, factors associated with reported results were industry funding and US registration.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the number of contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies has grown over time, but is still small. Developing new advancements in contrast-enhanced ultrasound will require a concerted effort to increase the quality and quantity of clinical studies in this field.

An Interpretative Study of LARCs Discontinuation in Ethiopia: The Experiences of Women Accessing Contraceptives in Selected Public Health Facilities

Background

Discontinuation of contraception for reasons other than wanting to become pregnant is a public health concern as it affects women's autonomy in sexual and reproductive health decision making as well as gender equality. Studies identified various factors, including community perception and users' dissatisfaction that limited the reach and impact of contraceptives, primarily LARCs, on women's wellbeing. In Ethiopia, however, the reasons for early discontinuation of LARCCs are not adequately explored. Against this backdrop, this study explores the main reasons for the early discontinuation of LARCs among Ethiopian women in selected public health facilities.

Methods

This study used an institution-based qualitative study design and covered selected university hospitals and health centers in Addis Ababa, Gondar, Mekelle, and Jimma. It involved in-depth interviews with 29 women aged 15-49 to gather data and explore the decision-making processes involved in the early discontinuation of LARCs. It used description, narration and thematic interpretation as data analysis procedures.

Results

Interviewees reported several reasons for early discontinuation of LARCs, including side effects (eg, weight gain/loss, heavy menses, tiredness, and reduced libido), desire to conceive, and husbands' disapproval. This study found that women were sufficiently aware of alternative contraceptives, including LARCs. Many reported experimenting before deciding on an option. Conversely, others' reports reveal the influences of gender roles and community misconceptions on women's decisions to discontinue LARCs.

Discussion and Implications

The common threads in interviewees' narratives highlight the significance of traditional values, gender roles, community perception, and experience with side effects to women's early discontinuation of LARCs. This study concludes with remarks on how to improve the effectiveness of family planning programming by adopting the gender transformative approach (GTA) in their design and implementation.

Early discontinuation of DTG/ABC/3TC and BIC/TAF/FTC single-tablet regimens: a real-life multicenter cohort study

Background: Data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of DTG/ABC/3TC/and BIC/TAF/FTC in switching strategies are still scarce. The rates and reasons of early discontinuation within 24 weeks from the switch to dolutegravir (DTG) or bictegravir (BIC) single-tablet regimens (STRs) were compared.Methods: This is a multicenter cohort study. Persons living with HIV (PLWH) with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL switching to BIC-STR or DTG-STR were included and followed-up 24 weeks. Major outcome was the analysis of (quantitative assessment of) discontinuation due to adverse events and self-suspension (EDAEs). Second, we assessed virologic failure (VF), and all-cause discontinuation (EDAC). Cox model for regression analysis was employed.Results: We included 786 PLWH: 524 with DTG, 262 with BIC. At week 24, we observed 70 EDAC: 5 for VF (1 with BIC and 4 with DTG; p = 0.6276), 10 simplifications, more frequently with BIC than DTG (n = 5, 1.9% and n = 5, 0.9%; p = 0.072) and 55 EDAEs, 7 (2.7%) with BIC, 48 (9.2%) with DTG (p = 0.0323). EDAEs due to neurological and gastrointestinal toxicity were similar (p = 0.2398 and p = 0.1160, respectively). There were no significant differences in the rates of VF and EDAC. EDAEs rate was significantly higher for DTG than for BIC. The adjusted HR for EDAEs in DTG group was 3.28 (95% CI: 1.34-8.00; p = 0.009). We identified an association between EDAE in the DTG group and having an age >60 and having switched from a regimen without ABC.Conclusions: PLWH who received DTG or BIC do not show differences in VF or EDAC rates. However, EDAEs is more frequent with DTG especially in the over-sixties and in those who come from regimens without abacavir.

Early discontinuation and dose reduction of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer patients

Background

The benefit of chemotherapy in colon cancer patients is well documented but depends largely on whether patients complete the planned treatment regimen. We evaluated predictors of early discontinuation (EDChemo) and dose reduction of chemotherapy, especially the role of adverse treatment effects, in stage III patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Stage III colon cancer patients who were diagnosed in 2003-2014 and recruited into a population-based study in Germany and received FOLFOX [5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV), and oxaliplatin], capecitabine monotherapy (CapMono), or 5-FU/LV were included. We assessed determinants of EDChemo and dose reduction using multivariable logistic regression. Also, we estimated proportions of EDChemo and dose reduction that are attributable to adverse effects using attributable fractions.

Results

EDChemo and dose reduction rates were 52% and 17% for FOLFOX, 28% and 9% for CapMono, and 45% and 6% for 5-FU/LV, respectively. Predictors of EDChemo were low-grade tumor and treatment in a medium-volume hospital (for FOLFOX), obesity (for CapMono), and increasing age, T4 stage, and treatment in a medium-volume hospital (for 5-FU/LV). Adverse effects were particularly strongly associated with EDChemo and contributed to about 63%, 51%, and 32% of EDChemo of FOLFOX, CapMono, and 5-FU/LV, respectively. Of the various adverse effects, gastrointestinal events showed the strongest associations with EDChemo and accounted for about 7%, 26%, and 20% of EDChemo of FOLFOX, CapMono, and 5-FU/LV, respectively. Adverse effects were, moreover, a strong determinant of dose reduction and accounted for about 82% of all cases.

Conclusions

EDChemo is common in stage III colon cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and more than half of the cases of EDChemo and dose reduction are due to adverse treatment effects. Further research should address the potential for reducing EDChemo and dose reduction rates by close monitoring of patients for early signs and enhanced management of adverse effects, especially gastrointestinal events.

Reducing Duration of Antibiotic Use for Presumed Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis in Greek NICUs. A "Low-Hanging Fruit" Approach

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), where stewardship interventions are challenging. Lowering antibiotic consumption is desperately needed in Greece, a country with high antibiotic resistance rates. We sought to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost and -resource intervention to reduce antibiotic use in Greek NICUs implementing a "low-hanging fruit" approach. A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in 15/17 public NICUs in Greece (9/2016-06/2019). The intervention selected was discontinuation of antibiotics within 5 days for neonates with gestational age ≥ 37 weeks, no documented signs or symptoms of sepsis, CRP ≤ 10 mg/L and negative cultures within 3 days of antibiotic initiation. Impact was evaluated by the percentage of discontinued regimens by day 5, length of therapy (LOT) and stay. Trends of antibiotic consumption were assessed with days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-days. Overall, there was a 9% increase (p = 0.003) of antibiotic discontinuation in ≤5 days. In total, 7/13 (53.8%) units showed a ≥10% increase. Overall, 615 days on antibiotics per 1000 patients were saved. Interrupted time-series analysis established a declining trend in DOT/1000 patient-days relative to the pre-intervention trend (p = 0.002); a monthly decrease rate of 28.96 DOT/1000 patient-days (p = 0.001, 95%CI [-45.33, -12.60]). The intervention had no impact on antibiotic choice. Antibiotic use was successfully reduced in Greek NICUs using a "low-hanging fruit" approach. In resource-limited settings, similar targeted stewardship interventions can be applied.

Characteristic and Early Discontinuation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Trials Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and reasons of early discontinuation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Methods: OCD trials and relevant publications were searched on ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed, respectively. The characteristics and details regarding the timely publication of trials were recorded. Cox regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with the early discontinuation of OCD trials. Results: The analysis included 298 OCD therapy trials. Most investigations recruited <100 patients and were more likely to involve adults. Of all OCD studies identified, 67.8% were randomized and 61.4% were blind (single- or double-blind). Universities and hospitals were recorded as the two primary locations in the majority of trials. A total of 155 trials (52%) were completed; however, only 29% of those were published. Of the published trials, >70% were published at least 1 year after completion. Behavioral therapy trials were the most common type of major treatment-aimed OCD trials (39%), followed by drug trials (35.1%) and device/procedure trials (24.7%). The univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that drug trials [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-5.43], absence of collaborators (HR = 3.87, 95% CI: 1.62-9.26), and sponsorship by industry (HR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.49-10.53) were risk factors for early discontinuation of OCD trials. Further multivariate Cox regression showed that drug trials (HR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.71-9.08) and absence of collaborators (HR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.97-13.54) were independent risk factors for early trial discontinuation of OCD trials. The sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Non-drug trials (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.21-9.11), absence of collaborators (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.10-9.60), and non-blinded trials (OR = 5.23, 95% CI: 1.05-26.2) were independent risk factors for unreported results in registry. Conclusion: The diagnosis and prevention of OCD are rarely investigated in trials. Underreporting and delayed reporting remain major problems. The type of intervention and participation of collaborators are associated with early discontinuation of OCD trials.

Predictors of early treatment discontinuation in patients enrolled on Phase I oncology trials

Purpose

Patients who do not complete one cycle of therapy on Phase I trials for reasons other than dose limiting toxicity (DLT) are considered inevaluable for toxicity and must be replaced.

Methods

Individual records from patients enrolled to NCI-sponsored Phase I trials activated between 2000 and 2010 were used. Early discontinuation was defined as the failure to begin cycle 2 for reasons other than a DLT during cycle 1. A multinomial logistic regression with a 3-level nominal outcome (early discontinuation, DLT during cycle 1, and continuation to cycle 2) was used with continuation to cycle 2 serving as the reference category. The final model was used to create two risk scores. An independent external cohort was used to validate these models.

Results

Data from 3079 patients on 127 Phase I trials were analyzed. ECOG performance status (1, ≥ 2, two-sided P = .0315 and P = .0007), creatinine clearance (<60 ml/min, P = .0455), alkaline phosphatase (>2.5xULN, P = .0026), AST (>ULN, P = .0076), hemoglobin (<10 g/dL, P < .0001), albumin (< 3.5 g/dL, P < .0001), and platelets (<400x109/L, P = .0732) were predictors of early discontinuation. The c-index of the final model was 0.63.

Conclusion

Knowledge of risk factors for early treatment discontinuation in conjunction with clinical judgment can help guide Phase I patient selection.

Early discontinuation and related treatment costs after initiation of Basal insulin in type 2 diabetes patients: a German primary care database analysis

AIMS

The aim was to compare early discontinuation and related treatment costs in type 2 diabetes in primary care after initiation of insulin glargine or human basal insulin (NPH).

METHODS

Overall, 2765 glargine and 1554 NPH patients from 1072 general practices were analyzed (Disease Analyser). Early discontinuation was defined as switching to a different basal insulin or another insulin treatment regimen within 90 days after first basal insulin prescription (index date, ID). Treatment costs were assessed 365 days prior and post ID in both groups. Propensity score matching and linear regression was used to adjust cost differences (post vs prior ID: discontinued vs continued patients) for age, sex, diabetes duration, antidiabetic comedication, diabetologist care, disease management program participation, costs before ID, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

RESULTS

Within 3 months after ID, 13% of glargine patients switched to other insulin treatment regimens (NPH: 18%; P < .05). After propensity score matching, adjusted cost differences in 146 discontinued versus 1342 continued glargine patients were calculated (NPH: 146 vs 1342). Diabetes-related prescription costs were lower among persistent glargine patients compared to persistent NPH patients (EUR-49 [19]; P = .0109). Mean cost difference for diabetes-related prescriptions was lower among those who persisted on glargine compared to those who switched to other treatment regimens (EUR-74 [42], P = .0780).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment persistence within 3 months after basal insulin initiation was significantly higher under insulin glargine compared to NPH. Diabetes-related prescription costs were significantly lower among patients who adhered to insulin glargine compared to persistent NPH patients.

Early discontinuation and restart of insulin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Although the largest improvement in glycemic control occurs within the first 90 days of insulin therapy, little is known about early persistence on insulin therapy. This research aimed to identify predictors of early discontinuation and of subsequent restart of basal or mixture insulin among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to assess the economic cost associated with such behaviors over a 1-year period.

METHODS

Truven's Health Analytics Commercial Claims and Encounters database was utilized for the study. Logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with early discontinuation of insulin (basal or mixture) and, among patients who discontinued early, the factors associated with restarting. Cost regressions were estimated using generalized linear models with a gamma distribution and logistic link. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to examine time to discontinuation and time to restart among those who discontinued.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses revealed that patient characteristics, prior healthcare resource utilization, comorbid diagnoses, and type of initiated insulin were associated with early discontinuation of insulin and of restarting among patients who discontinued early. Acute care (hospitalization and emergency room) costs were 9.6% higher among patients who discontinued early (P < 0.001), although outpatient, drug, and total costs were significantly lower among individuals who discontinued early. Among the early discontinuation subgroup, restarting insulin was associated with higher costs. Specifically: 11.3% higher acute care costs (P < 0.001), 24.0% higher outpatient costs (P < 0.001), 80.2% higher drug costs (P < 0.001), and 30.3% higher total costs (P < 0.001), compared to patients who discontinued early but did not restart insulin therapy in the 1-year post-period.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with T2DM who were initiated on insulin therapy, early discontinuation of insulin and its subsequent restart were associated with significantly higher acute care costs, which may signal a more complex and challenging subgroup of patients who tend to be less engaged in outpatient care and may have poorer long-term outcomes.