The effect of outpatient antibiotic treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 on the outcomes in the emergency department: a propensity score matching study.

AIM: To determine the effect of outpatient oral antibiotics on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients presenting to the emergency department.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching conducted at University Hospital Dubrava collected data on all emergency department visits due to COVID-19 in November 2020. The primary outcome was hospital admission. The secondary outcomes were pneumonia development, respiratory failure, and required level of respiratory support.

RESULTS

Overall, 1217 visits were evaluated and 525 patients were included in the analysis. After propensity score matching, 126 pairs of treated patients and controls were identified. Patients and controls did not differ in physical examination findings, laboratory test results, radiographic findings, or defined outcomes before and after matching.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests no benefit of empirical oral antibiotics for outpatient treatment of COVID-19. In patients presenting to the emergency department, prior oral antibiotic treatment did not affect hospital admission rates or the level of respiratory support required.