Oral vs Intravenous Antibiotics in the Treatment of Bone and Joint Infections and Endocarditis

Authors

Meghan Seymour PA-C, university of lynchburgFollow

Specialty

Hospital Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Colletti

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This article aims to examine the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotics in the treatment of bone and joint infections and endocarditis in adults.

Method: A PubMed search was conducted by using the following terms: treatment of bone and joint infections in adults, oral antibiotics for bone and joint infections in adults, oral antibiotics AND bone and joint infections, oral vs IV antibiotics for bone and joint infections, OVIVA trial, endocarditis, oral antibiotics for endocarditis, oral antibiotics AND endocarditis, and POET trial. The full-text filter was applied, and the years were limited to 2017-2022. Eight relevant articles were selected and will be featured in this article.

Results: Appropriate oral antibiotic regimens have shown to be non-inferior to IV antibiotics in the treatment of bone and joint infections and endocarditis

Conclusion: For over 80 years the standard of care for the treatment of bone and joint infections and endocarditis has been a minimum of 4 weeks of IV antibiotics. Treatment with a prolonged course of IV antibiotics not only increases the risk of concurrent bloodstream infection and thromboembolic events but also increases treatment costs, which have become a burden on the healthcare system. Multiple randomized control trials have shown oral antibiotics to be as effective as IV antibiotics. In addition, there were fewer adverse events, decreased treatment cost, earlier discharge from the hospital, and improved patient satisfaction with an early transition to oral antibiotics.

Keywords: oral antibiotics, intravenous antibiotics, bone and joint infections, endocarditis, adverse events, outcomes

Recommended Citation

Seymour M. Oral vs Intravenous Antibiotics in the Treatment of Bone and Joint Infections and Endocarditis. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(4).