A cost-minimisation analysis comparing moxifloxacin with levofloxacin plus ceftriaxone for the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Germany: results from the MOTIV trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study presents a cost-minimisation analysis of moxifloxacin compared to combination treatment with levofloxacin and ceftriaxone in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Germany.

Research design and methods: In the MOTIV study, 738 adult patients with CAP requiring hospitalisation and initial parenteral antibiotic therapy were randomised to sequential IV/oral therapy with either moxifloxacin (n = 368), or levofloxacin and ceftriaxone (n = 365). The primary effectiveness endpoint was the proportion of patients demonstrating clinical improvement 5–7 days after the completion of study treatment. Subgroup analysis considered patients with severe CAP according to pneumonia severity index (PSI) risk class IV and V, microbiologically proven infection, a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a history of cardiovascular disease. The analysis included the cost of study medication, hospital stay, readmission and inpatient procedures and diagnostics. Event frequency in the study was multiplied by German unit costs to estimate per-patient expenditure. The analysis was conducted from a hospital perspective. Sensitivity analysis investigated the effect of costing from an insurer perspective.

Results: No significant difference was found in the percentage of successfully treated patients. Average per patient cost was €2190 for the moxifloxacin group, and €2619 for the levofloxacin + ceftriaxone group (difference –€430, 95% CI: –€138, –€740; p < 0.05). Variability in total costs was wide, with some patients accruing up to €18 000. Medication cost was significantly lower with moxifloxacin than levofloxacin + ceftriaxone (–€470, 95% CI: –€522, –€421), and accounted for between 15 and 30% of total costs.

Conclusions: In this analysis of patients hospitalised with CAP in Germany, treatment with moxifloxacin was significantly less costly than treatment with levofloxacin and ceftriaxone.

Key words: :

• Ceftriaxone
• Community-acquired infections
• Costs and cost analysis
• Levofloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Pneumonia