Evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients receiving outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in a UK setting.

Background: Studies assessing the benefits of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) have paid less attention to patient-centered factors such as patients' experiences and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Research design and methods: Prospective before-and-after quasi-experimental study enrolled adult patients receiving OPAT at a tertiary hospital in Derbyshire, UK, between October 2022 and October 2023. Consenting patients completed paired EQ-5D-3 L questionnaires before OPAT initiation and upon completion of therapy or 30 days after its commencement (whichever occurred first). Changes and predictors of change in HRQoL indicators and associations with clinical outcomes (treatment failure, adverse events, and 30-day unplanned readmission) were examined.

Results: Health state index and visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) scores of 162 enrolled patients at baseline were significantly lower than the UK population averages, but the patients experienced significant improvements in both scores and in four EQ-5D dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort). Baseline health index and EQ VAS scores were significant independent predictors of positive changes in HRQoL scores.

Conclusions: OPAT is associated with improved patient-reported quality of life and facilitates early return to work or school. Nevertheless, it is crucial to closely monitor patients with a lower baseline quality of life to optimize their overall OPAT experience.