Home Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment in Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

The experience of 1 year of home intravenous antibiotic treatment of patients with cystic flbrosis is reported. Ninety-two courses were given to 31 patients, aged 4–67 years (mean age, 21 years). All patients improved clinically and biochemically. The mean weight gain was significant (p < 0.001). Blood Po₂ increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec in percentage of predicted values also improved significantly (p < 0.001). The patients could attend school and work and wanted to have the same kind of home treatment at the next subclinical exacerbation. The possibility of avoiding hospitalization improved social life and made the patients feel responsible and therefore were cooperative with treatment before clinical deterioration.

Key Words:

• Antibiotics
• cystic fibrosis
• home treatment