This study performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the use of two versus three dosage forms of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an adjunctive mucolytic therapy for ICU patients with pneumonia.

Study Summary and Key Findings

Objective: To determine which NAC dosing strategy (two vs. three dosage forms) offered better value based on clinical improvement, ICU length of stay (LOS), and drug costs.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study analyzed the medical records of 88 pneumonia patients in an ICU setting.

Clinical Improvement: The three-dosage-form group demonstrated significantly greater clinical improvement compared to the two-dosage-form group.

Length of Stay (LOS): The three-dosage-form group was associated with a longer median ICU LOS.

While therapy using three dosage forms of NAC yields superior clinical improvement, it comes at the expense of a longer ICU length of stay and higher overall drug costs, suggesting a trade-off between clinical benefit and resource utilization.

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