The impact of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy on utilization of
antibiotics at a single pediatric cystic fibrosis care center
Abstract
Objective: Describe antibiotic utilization pre- and
post-widespread utilization of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy
at a single pediatric CF center. Design: In October 2019, the
United States Food and Drug Administration approved
elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), a highly effective CFTR
modulator therapy, for people with CF (pwCF). We performed a
single-center, retrospective review of PO and IV antibiotics prescribed
for pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2022.
Results: Of the 193 pwCF included, 69 (36%) received a course
of IV antibiotics in the pre-ETI period compared to 44 (23%) in the
post-period. Oral antibiotic courses decreased from 174 (90%) to 141
(73%) individuals. The median combined IV and PO treatment courses per
individual decreased from 3 to 2. The percent of individuals treated for
resistant organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (46% to 32%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (40% to 28%)
also decreased from the pre- and post-ETI period. Conclusions:
This single center experience indicates a dramatic decrease in PO and IV
antibiotics used to treat PEx among pwCF in the post-ETI period.