Presentation Outline ICHP Annual Meeting September 13-15

Azithromycin and CV Death
• Study objective
– To determine the risk of cardiovascular death in
patients taking azithromycin.
• Methods
– Retrospective, matched control, observational
cohort study
N Engl J Med. 2012;366(20):1881-1889.
Azithromycin and CV Death
• Study cohort
– Tennessee Medicaid population between 1992
and 2006
Inclusion Exclusion
Prescribed azithromycin Serious illness
No other abx filled same day as
Rx benefits through Medicare
azithromycin
Not in hospital on day of
Prolonged nursing home stays
azithromycin Rx
Ages 30‐74 years at Rx fill date
Ongoing medical surveillance
N Engl J Med. 2012;366(20):1881-1889.
Azithromycin and CV Death
• Controls
– Matched nonusers antibiotic‐free periods
– Indication controlled for by patients who took
other abx
• Amoxicillin (primary control antibiotic)
• Ciprofloxacin
• Levofloxacin
N Engl J Med. 2012;366(20):1881-1889.
8/30/2012
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