Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41981685›Full record

ArticleClinical and translational science2026

Disproportionality Analysis of Fluoroquinolone-Associated Peripheral Neuropathy in the FAERS Database (2007-2024).

Nimra Shamim, Kelly Doughty, Hau-Tak Chau, James Brown, Robert Baldock, Ngan Pan Bennett Au

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and translational science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nimra ShamimSchool of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Kelly DoughtySchool of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Hau-Tak ChauDepartment of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong.
James BrownSchool of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Robert BaldockSchool of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4649-2966
Ngan Pan Bennett AuSchool of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-0245-9096

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are among the most frequently prescribed antibiotic classes worldwide. Despite their therapeutic versatility in treating bacterial infections, regulatory authorities recognized risks of persistent and potentially irreversible adverse effects, particularly peripheral neuropathy (PN). However, a comprehensive pharmacovigilance assessment of PN-related adverse events (AEs) across all six FDA-approved FQs remains limited. We therefore analyzed adverse event reports (AERs) associated with these six agents from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Public Dashboard spanning 2007-2024 Q3, following READUS-PV guidelines. Disproportionality analysis was conducted to identify potential safety signals for PN-related AEs reported with FQ use following deduplication and exclusion of cases involving non-FQ concomitant medications. Positive disproportionality signals were observed for the commonly prescribed FQs (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and ofloxacin), with seven distinct PN manifestations generating signals. Notably, we detected PN-related signals for gemifloxacin, a relatively new FQ with limited prior evaluation of neurotoxicity. Univariate logistic regression revealed that women and adults aged 18-64 years were more frequently represented in FQ-associated PN-related AERs, whereas men and patients aged ≥ 65 years were disproportionately represented among cases with fatal outcomes. Combination therapy with multiple FQs generated disproportionality signals exceeding those with FQ monotherapy. These findings underscore the need for increased vigilance when prescribing FQs, particularly for mild infections where risks may outweigh benefits. Strengthened clinical monitoring for early signs of PN is advisable when FQ treatment becomes unavoidable. Further controlled epidemiological studies are needed to validate these signals and define at-risk groups, alongside mechanistic research aimed at supporting the development of neuroprotective strategies.

Indexed as

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting SystemsAnti-Bacterial AgentsFluoroquinolonesPeripheral Nervous System DiseasesAdolescentAdultAgedCiprofloxacinDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansLevofloxacinMaleMiddle AgedMoxifloxacinOfloxacinAnti-Bacterial AgentsCiprofloxacinFluoroquinolonesLevofloxacinMoxifloxacinOfloxacinadverse events/reactionciprofloxacindelafloxacinfluoroquinolonegemifloxacinlevofloxacinmoxifloxacinofloxacinperipheral neuropathypharmacovigilance

Identifiers

PMID41981685
PMCPMC13079070

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.