LETTER
Cost-Effective Treatment of Candida Esophagitis
David Neely
15 May 1993 | Volume 118 Issue 10 | Pages 824-825
TO THE EDITOR:
In their report of a randomized trial comparing fluconazole and ketoconazole as treatment for candida esophagitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Laine and associates [1] left out an important piece of information—cost. At our hospital pharmacy, 21 tablets of fluconazole cost $157.00, and 21 tablets of ketoconazole cost $57.00.
It was unclear how long the patients were treated except that it was between 3 and 8 weeks. How quickly did most patients respond to either drug?
The study did not clarify if fluconazole is worth the extra money. Although pharmaceutical company grant support may lead to decisions to avoid cost comparisons, reports of treatment-comparison studies should include cost.
1. Laine L, Dretler RH, Conteas CN, Tuazon C, Koster FM, Sattler F, et al. Fluconazole compared with ketoconazole for the treatment of candida esophagitis in AIDS: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 1992; 117:655-60.
About Letters
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
Top
REFERENCE
Article
