Safety of Levofloxacin in Older Adults

Öz

Aim: Levofloxacin is one of the most prescribed antibacterial agents. They are used for the treatment of many infections, which are of paramount importance for geriatric practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the safety of levofloxacin, which provides many advantages in older patients.

Material and Methods: The medical records of 92 older patients admitted to the geriatric clinic and treated with levofloxacin for any reason were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, drugs, electrocardiography parameters, Apathy Evaluation Scale score, and delirium evaluated by Confusion Assessment Method were recorded on the baseline and the third day. We also recorded 21 patients’ seventh-day data, which can be available. All the patients or caregivers were questioned about tendinitis or tendon rupture within 90 days after treatment at the outpatient controls.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 80.75±7.01 years, and 57.6% were female. There was a significant difference between baseline and third day QT (p:0.008) and QTc (p<0.001) values, but on the 7th day, not (p>0.05). Delirium and Apathy Evaluation Scale scores improved during the treatment (p>0.05). No patient had a seizure. Tendinitis and tendon rupture were not detected during or within the three months after the treatment.

Conclusion: In the light of these results, the use of levofloxacin seems to be safe in older adults, with caution on additional risk factors.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Apathy
• Delirium
• Levofloxacin
• Older adult
• QTc

Yaşlılarda Levofloksasin Kullanımının Güvenliliği

Öz

Amaç: Levofloksasin en sık reçete edilen antibakteriyel ajanlardan biridir. Geriatri pratiğinde önemli olan birçok enfeksiyonun tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada yaşlı hastalarda birçok avantaj sağlayan levofloksasinin güvenilirliğini araştırmayı amaçladık.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Geriatri polikliniğine başvuran ve herhangi bir nedenle levofloksasin tedavisi alan 92 yaşlı hastanın tıbbi kayıtları retrospektif olarak incelendi. Demografik özellikler, ilaçlar ile tedavinin başlangıcında ve üçüncü gününde elektrokardiyografi parametreleri, Apati Değerlendirme Ölçeği puanı ve Konfüzyon Değerlendirme Ölçeği ile değerlendirilen deliryum varlığı kaydedildi. Ayrıca yedinci günde verilerine ulaşılabilen verileri kaydedildi. Tüm hastalar veya bakım verenler tedaviden sonraki 90 gün içinde tendinit veya tendon rüptürü açısından sorgulandı.

Bulgular: Hastaların yaş ortalaması 80,75±7,01 yıl ve %57,6'sı kadındı. Başlangıç ve üçüncü gün QT (p:0,008) ve QTc (p<0,001) değerleri arasında anlamlı fark varken, 7. günde fark yoktu (p>0,05). Deliryum ve Apati Değerlendirme Ölçeği puanları tedavi süresince iyileşme gösterdi (p>0,05). Hiçbir hasta nöbet geçirmedi. Tedavi sırasında veya tedaviden sonraki 3 ay içinde tendinit ve tendon yırtılması tespit edilmedi.

Sonuç: Bu sonuçlar ışığında, yaşlı erişkinlerde ek risk faktörlerine dikkat edilerek levofloksasin kullanımı güvenli görünmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Apati
• Deliryum
• Levofloksasin
• QTc
• Yaşlı

Kaynakça

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