80 - Pharmacoeconomic Analysis Comparing the Empiric Utilization of Cefepime Versus Piperacillin/tazobactam

Background: In the hospital setting, cefepime (CFP) and piperacillin/tazobactam (PTZ) are among the most commonly utilized antipseudomonal agents in the empiric treatment of nosocomial and healthcare-associated infections. Institutional preference of CFP or PTZ as the preferred antipseudomonal antibiotic varies. Recent literature suggests each may be associated with increased rates of harmful adverse effects including Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) and acute kidney injury (AKI). The objective of this study is to perform a pharmacoeconomic analysis comparing CFP versus PTZ for empiric antibiotic treatment in patients where Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a concern.

Methods: We performed a cost-utility analysis comparing CFP and PTZ for empiric utilization in the hospital setting by creating a decision analytic model from the hospital perspective. Model variables were populated utilizing published clinical and economic data including incidence of AKI and CDI, their associated costs and mortality, and the cost of antibiotic therapy. Secondary and univariate sensitivity analyses tested the impact of model uncertainties and the robustness of our model. A willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of $0 was utilized.

Results: Results of our base-case model predicted that the use of CFP dominated PTZ as empiric utilization was less expensive ($7690 vs. $9331) and associated with a higher quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) (0.9193 vs. 0.9191) compared to the use of PTZ. Several variables had the potential to impact base case results. PTZ became cost-effective at our WTP threshold if CFP nephrotoxicity rates increased to 17.3%, the PTZ nephrotoxicity decreased to 28.5%, or if the cost of nephrotoxicity was less than $17,457. No other model variables, including incidence of CDI, impacted base case results.Sensitivity Analysis on Cefepime Clostridioides difficile Infection Incidence and Piperacillin/tazobactam Nephrotoxicity


Conclusion: Results of our model showed that CFP dominated PTZ for the empiric treatment of nosocomial infections. The model was sensitive to variation in CFP and PTZ nephrotoxicity rates.