Combo Treatment Touted for Pneumonia

People who are critically ill with pneumonia and a common complication of the disease are more likely to survive if they receive two antibiotics rather than just one.

Researchers came to this conclusion after studying 844 patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia -- a complication in which the bacteria enters the bloodstream -- in 21 hospitals in 10 countries. Outcomes were compared between those who received a two-drug treatment and those who received just one drug to combat the problem.

Results showed little difference in mortality rates between the two groups for patients who were not considered critically ill. After 14 days, about 16 percent of both groups had died. But in the 94 patients who were considered to be critically ill, the two-drug treatment significantly improved survival rates. Among the 47 patients who received the two-drug combo, the mortality rate after 14 days was about 23 percent. Among the 47 who received one drug, the 14 day mortality rate was about 55 percent.

The authors conclude, “Findings from this large, prospective, international investigation suggest that the administration of combination antibiotic therapy results in increased survival among critically ill patients with pneumococcal bacteremia.”

SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2004;170:440-444