OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess costs and health service use associated with tendon injuries resulting from fluoroquinolone antimicrobial use in Finland during 2002-2012.

METHODS: This retrospective observational study included data from the Finnish Pharmaceutical Insurance Pool’s pharmaceutical injury claims. In total 147 compensated claimants aged >18 years presenting tendon injuries after the use of fluoroquinolones were included in the study. Main outcomes of interest were the amount of outpatient visits to primary, secondary, tertiary and private healthcare, hospital days, rehabilitation and their costs. Indirect costs included in the analysis comprised time costs and compensation awarded to the claimants for pain and disability.

RESULTS: According to preliminary results, outpatient visits to tertiary care (average 2,8 visits per claimant) were more frequent than to primary care (0,6). Hospital stays were the main cost drivers in this study with the average stay costing 2,947€ (range 0 – 12,615€). The average age of the claimants was 66,8 years (range 21-87) and 68,7% were males. 52% of the claimants had used oral corticosteroids in addition to fluoroquinolones, which is a known risk factor for tendon injuries. The estimated cost of a fluoroquinolone-related tendon injury ranged between 830 and 48,333 €.

CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, fluoroquinolone-related tendon injuries can have significant economic implications in addition to causing long-term impairment. Further action is required to prevent and reduce fluoroquinolone-related tendon injuries, especially within risk groups.