Background : The early diagnosis of fungal infections is difficult and persistent fever may be the only symptom. A delay in treatment, while pursuing the diagnosis, may lead to increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate d...
Background : The early diagnosis of fungal infections is difficult and persistent fever may be the only symptom. A delay in treatment, while pursuing the diagnosis, may lead to increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate defervescence and response rate of early initiation of Itraconazole in febrile neutropenic patients.
Patients and methods : This was an observational study between early initiation group and historical gourp. Early initiation group defines simultaneous providing of itraconazole and broad spectrum antibiotics in neutropenic fever patients, and historical group defines providing of itraconazole in persistent fever patients in spite of 5 days of broad spectrum antibiotics.
Results : A total of 88 patients were enrolled. 64 patients received itraconazole early, and 24 patients were received itraconazole conventionally. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both group. The defervescence rates were 85.94% vs 65.2% (p-value 0.015). The overall response rates were 67.3% vs 52.6% (p-value 0.57). Adverse events including liver dysfunction and renal dysfunction were similar both group(p-value 0.78, p-value 0.33).
Conclusion : Early initiation of itraconazole has similar efficacy and toxicity to conventional treatment of itraconazole.