Antibiotic utilisation in community practices: guideline concurrence and prescription necessity

A case study of nurse practitioner care compared with general practitioner care for children with respiratory tract infections

AIM

To compare quality of care provided by nurse practitioners (NP) with care provided by general practitioners (GP) for children with respiratory tract infections (RTI) in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND

Nurse practitioners increasingly manage acute conditions in general practice, with opportunities for more protocolled care. Studies on quality of NPs' care for children with RTIs are limited to the US healthcare system and do not take into account baseline differences in illness severity.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

METHODS

Data were extracted from electronic healthcare records of children 0-6 years presenting with RTI between January-December 2013. Primary outcomes were antibiotic prescriptions and early return visits. Generalized estimating equations were used to correct for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 899 RTI consultations were assessed (168 seen by NP; 731 by GP). Baseline characteristics differed between these groups. Overall antibiotic prescription and early return visit rates were 21% and 24%, respectively. Adjusted odds ratio for antibiotic prescription after NP vs. GP delivered care was 1.40 (95% confidence interval 0.89-2.22) and for early return visits 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.01-2.31). Important confounder for antibiotic prescription was illness severity. Presence of wheezing was a confounder for return visits. Complication and referral rates did not differ.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic prescription, complication and referral rates for paediatric RTI consultations did not differ significantly between NP and GP consultations, after correction for potential confounders. General practitioners, however, see more severely ill children and have a lower return visit rate. A randomised controlled study is needed to determine whether NP care quality is truly noninferior.

Alternative therapeutics for self-limiting infections-An indirect approach to the antibiotic resistance challenge

Alternative therapeutics for infectious diseases is a top priority, but what infections should be the primary targets? At present there is a focus on therapies for severe infections, for which effective treatment is most needed, but these infections are hard to manage, and progress has been limited. Here, we explore a different approach. Applying an evolutionary perspective to a review of antibiotic prescription studies, we identify infections that likely make a large contribution to resistance evolution across multiple taxa but are clinically mild and thus present easier targets for therapeutics development. Alternative therapeutics for these infections, we argue, would save lives indirectly by preserving the high efficacy of existing antibiotics for the patients who need them the most.

[Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in a primary care area: a cross-sectional study]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the profile of patients receiving antibiotics and the appropriateness of these prescriptions for the clinical conditions.

METHODS

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of prescription-indication.

SETTING

A primary health care area in Andalusia.

SUBJECTS

Patients assigned to primary care centres. Patients with antibiotic prescriptions during 2009 were selected by simple random sampling (confidence level: 95%, accuracy: 5%). Primary endpoint: appropriateness of antibiotics prescribing to recommendations included in local guidelines. Data were obtained through the billing computerised prescriptions system and medical histories.

RESULTS

Twenty-five per cent of the population area received antibiotics during 2009. The 1,266 patient samples showed the following characteristics: 57.9% were women, with a mean age of 41 (±1) years. There were 39.3% pensioners. The percentage of appropriate antibiotic prescriptions was 19.9%, with no difference due to gender. Statistically significant differences were related to age, being those over 65 years the group of patients with the highest percentage of inappropriateness. The main reasons for inappropriateness were: no recording of the infectious process (44.5%), a wrong treatment duration (15.5%), and the use of an inadequate antibiotic (11.5%).

CONCLUSION

There is a high level of inappropriateness in antibiotic prescribing in primary care. The high level of under-recording of diagnoses, mainly in elderly patients, followed by the use of wrong schedules, and the wrong type of antibiotics were the main reasons of inappropriateness.

Antibiotic prescribing in primary care, adherence to guidelines and unnecessary prescribing--an Irish perspective

Background

Information about antibiotic prescribing practice in primary care is not available for Ireland, unlike other European countries. The study aimed to ascertain the types of antibiotics and the corresponding conditions seen in primary care and whether general practitioners (GPs) felt that an antibiotic was necessary at the time of consultation. This information will be vital to inform future initiatives in prudent antibiotic prescribing in primary care.

Methods

Participating GPs gathered data on all antibiotics prescribed by them in 100 consecutive patients’ consultations as well as data on the conditions being treated and whether they felt the antibiotic was necessary.

Results

171 GPs collected data on 16,899 consultations. An antibiotic was prescribed at 20.16% of these consultations. The majority were prescribed for symptoms or diagnoses associated with the respiratory system; the highest rate of prescribing in these consultations were for patients aged 15–64 years (62.23%). There is a high rate of 2^nd and 3^rd line agents being used for common ailments such as otitis media and tonsillitis. Amoxicillin, which is recommended as 1^st line in most common infections, was twice as likely to be prescribed if the prescription was for deferred used or deemed unnecessary by the GP.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that potentially inappropriate prescribing is occurring in the adult population and the high rate of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents is a major concern. This study also indicates that amoxicillin may be being used for its placebo effect rather than specifically for treatment of a definite bacterial infection.

Non-adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines in treating urinary tract infection of children: a population-based study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Inappropriate use of antibiotics may increase antibiotic resistance and health care service load. Few studies have been conducted to investigate physician non-adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) in child patients. This study aimed to examine the rates of and factors associated with non-adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines for treating uncomplicated UTIs in child patients.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study in which a random sample of 8921 children who received antibiotics prescription for UTIs (ICD-9-CM: 590.1, 595.0, 595.9 or 599.0) at age 17 years or less, between 2000 and 2007, were analysed. Data analysed were retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance database. Non-adherence was determined by antibiotic prescription not recommended by the Infectious Disease Society of Taiwan. Multivariate logistic regression model was employed to assess the potential predictors for non-adherence, including various characteristics of patients, physicians and medical institutions.

RESULTS

The overall non-adherence rate was estimated at 20.05%. Older patients, older physicians and physicians from community clinics were associated with higher rates of non-adherence. Compared with pediatricians who had the lowest rate (13.15%) of non-adherence, certain specialties were found to have significantly elevated adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of non-adherence, with the highest one noted for gynecologists (35.11%, AOR = 2.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.89-2.77). We also observed that the most frequently prescribed antibiotics not recommended on guidelines varied with physician specialty.

CONCLUSIONS

Special attention should be concentrated on older physicians, gynecologists and physicians who practiced at community clinics to reduce non-adherence of antibiotic prescription for treating UTIs in child patients.

[High exposure to antibiotics in the population and differences by sex and age]

PURPOSE

To determine antibiotic use and its distribution by age and gender, as well as the most prescribed therapeutic group.

DESIGN

Observational descriptive with retrospective data.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

Population from the Lleida (Spain) Health Region receiving antibiotic prescriptions from 2002 to 2007.

MEASUREMENTS

Daily Dose Per Inhabitant (DID) was calculated, as well as the number of patients under treatment. The study variables were: age, gender, number of patients under antibiotic treatment and pharmacological group.

RESULTS

Mean prevalence of patients receiving antibiotics was 36.93% (33.51% in men and 40.42% in women). The DID in Lleida during 2007 is 23.52. The majority (56%) had received antibiotics once a year. The antibiotic consumption prevalence has a "V" shape with higher values among children and old people. There is an annual exposure to antibiotics in 58.8% of the 0 to 4 years-old age group. The most prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanic.

CONCLUSIONS

We observe a high antibiotic prescription rate among children and older people, the high consumption in childhood being of note. There is also a higher use of antibiotics among women and changing of prescription towards broad spectrum antibiotics.

The role of evidence in the decline of antibiotic use for common respiratory infections in primary care

Antibiotic prescribing in primary care for common respiratory infections increased steadily until the mid 1990s, when the trend reversed noticeably. During the subsequent decade, antibiotic prescribing reduced by up to one-third in some countries. Explanations for this reduction have focused on a decline in the incidence and severity of common respiratory infections, and on the resulting decrease in the number of patients seeking consultation. We argue that evidence from primary-care research had a central role in changing the practice of antibiotic prescribing, and discuss the concern that has arisen among some physicians around this issue. Targeted reductions in antibiotic prescribing constitute a balancing act between individual and societal concerns, pitting the expected gains in preserving the usefulness of an antibiotic against any given reduction in use. There may be unintended consequences for decreasing antibiotic use beyond a certain point without adequate supporting evidence. A new approach to antibiotic prescribing requires comprehensive research to answer why change is necessary, and how that change can be safely implemented. Future policies must move beyond a "one size fits all" mindset if public and provider behaviours are expected to become more congruent with the growing research evidence.

[Prescribing practices in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in anthroposophic medicine]

BACKGROUND

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are among the leading reasons for doctor consultations. This study investigates the prescribing practices of medical doctors specialized in anthroposophic medicine in the treatment of URTI with a special focus on the prescription of antibiotics, complications, recurrence rates and costs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Starting in May 2004 all prescriptions within a 1-year period by 35 primary care practitioners in Germany were analysed. Data were extracted from practice software with special interfaces with additional linking of medications and diagnoses by practitioners.

RESULTS

21,818 prescriptions for 12,081 patients (73.7%children) with 19,050 cases of URTI were analysed. The most common diagnosis was common cold (63.3%), followed by acute tonsillitis (12.9%). 63.0% were treated purely with complementary medicine. Antibiotics were given in 6.3% of cases (minimum: common cold 1.9%, maximum: tonsillitis 24.3%). Predictive factors for antibiotic prescribing were the diagnoses tonsillitis (odds ratio [OR]: 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]:4.5-9.9) and sinusitis (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.1), concomitant disease (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.4), complications (OR: 7.2; 95% CI:5.5-9.4) and the specialty paediatrics (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.7-2.6). In cases that were initially treated with only complementary medicine, antibiotics were eventually prescribed in 0.7%. Overall complication rates were 2.9% and follow-up visits occurred in 6.3%. Patients had an average of 2.4 URTI/year (adults 1.7,children 2.7). Treatment costs did not differ between complementary care and antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Prescription practices in the treatment of URTI by anthroposophic practitioners were documented through the processing of routine medical data with minimal additional data. The therapy was found to be in accordance with the guidelines, however, the prescription rate for antibiotics was well below the German average.

Determinants of antibiotic overprescribing in respiratory tract infections in general practice

OBJECTIVES

To assess determinants of antibiotic overprescribing in patients with sinusitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis in Dutch general practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 146 general practitioners (GPs) from The Netherlands included all patients with sinusitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis during a 4 week period in the winter of 2002/2003, and recorded patient characteristics, clinical presentation and management. Overprescribing of antibiotics was assessed using the recommendations of the Dutch national guidelines as a benchmark.

RESULTS

In almost 50% of all 1469 respiratory tract infection (RTI) consultations (694/1469), the antibiotic prescribing decisions were in accordance with the recommendations of the Dutch national guidelines. Overprescribing was highest in tonsillitis and bronchitis [71% (168/238) and 63% (415/656), respectively], while in sinusitis this was only 22% (128/575). Underprescribing was seen in 1% (3/238), 3% (17/656) and 8% (44/575), respectively. Patients who received an antibiotic prescription that was not in accordance with the guidelines had more inflammation signs such as fever (ORs 2.08, 2.18 and 3.04, for sinusitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis, respectively), were more severely ill according to their GP (ORs 2.37, 1.87 and 1.42, respectively), and their GP assumed more often that they expected an antibiotic (ORs 1.95, 1.70 and 2.11, respectively), compared with those who did not receive an antibiotic prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

GPs overestimate symptoms and probably patients' expectations when indicating antibiotic therapy in RTI cases in daily practice. Correct interpretation of combinations of symptoms for antibiotic treatment should be emphasized, combined with adopting more patient-centred consulting skills to rationalize the prescribing of antibiotics.

Analysis of under- and overprescribing of antibiotics in acute otitis media in general practice

OBJECTIVES

To assess clinical determinants of under- and overprescribing of antibiotics according to the Dutch national guideline for patients with acute otitis media (AOM) in general practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 146 general practitioners (GPs) from the Netherlands included all patients with AOM during a 4 week period in winter, and recorded patient characteristics, clinical presentation and management. Under- and overprescribing of antibiotics in AOM was assessed using the Dutch national guideline.

RESULTS

A total of 458 AOM consultations were recorded. In seven out of 10 consultations (310/439; excluding 19 consultations in which patients were referred to secondary care), antibiotic prescribing decisions were according to the national guideline. In 11% of all consultations (50/439), there was underprescribing and in 18% (79/439) there was overprescribing. Patients with an antibiotic indication but without an antibiotic prescription (underprescribing; n=50) had more short-term symptoms (OR: 0.93), relatively few inflammation signs (OR: 0.47) and were less severely ill (OR: 0.30), compared with patients with an antibiotic indication and an antibiotic prescription (n=167). Patients without an antibiotic indication but with an antibiotic prescription (overprescribing; n=79) were more often younger than 24 months (OR: 0.34), more severely ill (OR: 3.30) and expected more often an antibiotic as perceived by their GP (OR: 2.11), compared with patients without an antibiotic indication and without an antibiotic prescription (n=143).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical determinants which are stated as criteria for antibiotic treatment of AOM in the Dutch national guideline were recognized by GPs as important items, but were frequently given too much weight.