Case-control studycited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked A-ABX-14 standard review
Quinolones and Achilles tendon rupture
Increased risk of achilles tendon rupture with quinolone antibacterial use, especially in elderly patients taking oral corticosteroids.
Overview
van der Linden PD et al.. Arch Intern Med 2003 · PMID 12912715 · DOI 10.1001/archinte.163.15.1801
Current quinolone use was linked to about 4 times higher odds of Achilles rupture.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Link.
- How was the study done?
Case-control.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
1367 cases.
- What was actually found?
Higher risk.
- How large was the observed effect?
OR 4.3.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Known side effect.
- What are the study's limitations?
Observational.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- van der Linden PD, Sturkenboom MC, Herings RM, Leufkens HM, Rowlands S, Stricker BH
- Journal
- Arch Intern Med
- Year
- 2003
- Identifier
- PMID 12912715 DOI 10.1001/archinte.163.15.1801
- Verification
- verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract/record
2. Research question
Quinolones and Achilles tendon rupture
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Case-control study – Population-based case-control (GPRD)
- Population
UK GP patients
- Country
UK
- Period
1988-1998
- Sample size
1367 cases; 50,000 controls
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Quinolones
- Comparator
Non-use
- Endpoints
Achilles rupture
- Statistical methods
Adjusted OR
5. Actual results
- Results
Current OR 4.3 (2.4-7.8); age 60-79 OR 6.4; >=80 OR 20.4; ~2-6% of ruptures >60 attributable.
- Absolute risks
2-6% of ruptures in >60-year-olds attributable.
- Authors' conclusion
Highest risk in elderly on corticosteroids.
6. Strengths
- Population-based
7. Weaknesses
- Case-control
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- ROBINS-I
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
10. Relevance to the specific claim
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
High.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Established harm.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | moderate |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
Use by the Tayebat archive
Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.
- What the archive says about the study
Bibliography only.
- A. What was actually studied?
Tendon rupture.
- B. What did the authors find?
Increased risk.
- C. What conclusions do the authors themselves draw?
As found.
- D. What does the archive derive from it?
Harm.
- E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?
Justified.
- Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)
- not applicable