Antibiotic Failure in Obese Patients

Obesity rates are rising, and the epidemic is associated with increased rates of heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.  Obese patients have higher rates of infection and therefore more frequent use of antibacterial medications.

Antibiotic Failure

A recent study in Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf analyzed 6,179 patients to see if obese patients had higher rates of antibiotic failure than non-obese patients.  The authors took several factors into account: BMI category (overweight or obese), comorbidities, lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking), time of year (such as "flu season"), MRSA, history of antibiotic use, age, sex, and income.  They noted "first" the antibiotic prescription as a baseline and subsequent additional or modified antibiotic prescriptions or hospitalizations.
Of the study participants, 828 (13.4%) had an ATF (antibiotic failure) event during the follow-up period, of which 807 (97%) required additional prescriptions or modifications in antibiotic regimens, and 21 (3%) resulted in hospital admissions, readmissions, or death from an infectious cause.

Of the 828 patients who experienced ATF, nearly 64% were either overweight or obese.  Obese patients were significantly more likely than non-obese to have ATF.

For more information, see: www.empr.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309