Antibiotic Consumption in Danish Intensive Care Units, 2013–2023: A Nationwide Study of Temporal Trends
Authors' conclusion
In this nationwide study of Danish ICUs, antibiotic consumption decreased substantially over an 11-year period-driven by reductions in broad-spectrum classes-without evidence of worsening clinical outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- All adult ICU admissions, 29 public hospitals in Denmark, 2013–20231,121,639 ICU patient days
- Exposure
- Antibiotic consumption over time, 2013 vs 2023
- Outcome
- Antibiotic consumption (DDD per 1000 patient days, from national sales data)
- Follow-up
- 2013–2023
Methodological detailsall adult intensive care units (ICUs) in 29 public hospitals, run chart analysis, No interventions were implemented
- All adult ICUs in 29 public hospitals
- Run chart analysis
- No interventions were implemented
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Overall antibiotic consumption (DDD per 1000 patient days) · 2013 to 2023
- Overall consumption declined from 1705 to 1348 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 patient days
- 21% relative reduction
- Fluoroquinolones
- −80%
- First- and second-generation cephalosporins
- −61%
- Carbapenems
- −34%
- Penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors
- increased by 139%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Variation across ICUs and regions
- Antibiotic consumption varied widely across ICUs and regions
Antibiotic class by WHO AWaRe and modified national classification
- 'Watch' antibiotics accounted for the largest share of consumption
Safety
- No deterioration in clinical outcomes observed
Original publication
Antibiotic Consumption in Danish Intensive Care Units, 2013–2023: A Nationwide Study of Temporal Trends. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 22 September 2025. doi:10.
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