Introduction:
Skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs) are one of the
most common antibiotic-treated infections in the hospital and encompass a
variety of infection types including uncomplicated and severe infections.
Currently, the European SSSI market is crowded with generic agents such as
early-generation penicillins and cephalosporins, but resistance to many of
these agents is driving the need for newer antibiotics to treat SSSIs. In
particular, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infections and other resistant pathogens in SSSIs is especially
concerning, given their association with higher hospitalization costs and
poorer outcomes compared with nonresistant infections. We surveyed European
infectious disease specialists to evaluate the drivers of prescribing for SSSIs
for current and emerging antibiotics in the hospital setting. We also asked
them for their insight into the current and future challenges associated with
treating SSSIs in Europe.
Questions Answered in This Report:
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Patient population: SSSIs affect a diverse population of
patients in the five major European markets: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and
the United Kingdom.
What percentage of SSSI patients are treated in
hospitals of various sizes in Europe? From where do patients originate and to
where are they discharged? What comorbid conditions characterize the SSSI
patient population in Europe? What percentage of SSSI patients require an ICU
stay in Europe? What percentage of patients receive empiric versus targeted
antibiotic therapy for SSSIs? Which pathogens are most commonly identified in
SSSI patients in Europe?
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Prescribers: A variety of physicians treat patients with
SSSIs in Europe.
Which specialties are responsible for treating SSSI
patients in Europe? Who are the leading prescribers for SSSIs in different
lines of therapy? Which specialties prescribe empiric and targeted therapy for
SSSIs in Europe? What are the top antibiotics prescribed by different
specialties for SSSIs?
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Products and treatment patterns: A broad range of
antibiotics are used to treat SSSIs, including agents with broad- and
narrow-spectrum activity.
How are specific antibiotics used in empiric and
targeted therapy in SSSIs in Europe? What percentage of antibiotics are
prescribed for different lines of therapy? What are the leading products
prescribed for SSSIs in Europe? What are the main drivers of prescribing for
key products in SSSIs? What are the most important drawbacks of key products
used in SSSIs? Which drug attributes influence European infectious diseases specialists
in their selection of an antibiotic regimen for SSSIs?
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Forecast: Several antibiotics are in late-stage
development and will affect the future SSSI market.
How will emerging
therapies be used in Europe in the treatment of SSSIs? What are the current
patient shares of antibiotics prescribed in SSSIs, and how will these shares
change in the next five years? Against which products will emerging products
primarily compete? How will the generic launch of key products impact future
prescribing in Europe? What changes in prescribing trends for SSSIs do
infectious disease specialists surveyed foresee?Scope:
Using clinical audit data from the Arlington Medical
Resources, Inc. (AMR), Hospital Antibiotic Market Guide (HAMG), as well
as insight from surveys of 125 European infectious disease specialists, we
examine the use of antibiotics in SSSIs, including the following:
- Analysis of the use of products by treatment intent, line of
therapy, and prescribing physician.
- Prescribing behavior for the top specialties prescribing
antibiotics for SSSIs.
- Patient comorbidities, hospitalization outcomes, settings in
which treatment occurs, pathogen distribution, and average duration of
inpatient therapy.
- We analyze the current marketplace and examine prescribing
drivers of the European infectious disease specialists surveyed, their reasons
for prescribing key products, unmet needs, and their receptivity to emerging
antibiotics that may be of potential use in SSSIs.