Antibiotic prescribing during pediatric ambulatory care visits for asthma

Health Equity and Antibiotic Prescribing in the United States: A Systematic Scoping Review

We performed a scoping review of articles published from 1 January 2000 to 4 January 2022 to characterize inequities in antibiotic prescribing and use across healthcare settings in the United States to inform antibiotic stewardship interventions and research. We included 34 observational studies, 21 cross-sectional survey studies, 4 intervention studies, and 2 systematic reviews. Most studies (55 of 61 [90%]) described the outpatient setting, 3 articles were from dentistry, 2 were from long-term care, and 1 was from acute care. Differences in antibiotic prescribing were found by patient's race and ethnicity, sex, age, socioeconomic factors, geography, clinician's age and specialty, and healthcare setting, with an emphasis on outpatient settings. Few studies assessed stewardship interventions. Clinicians, antibiotic stewardship experts, and health systems should be aware that prescribing behavior varies according to both clinician- and patient-level markers. Prescribing differences likely represent structural inequities; however, no studies reported underlying drivers of inequities in antibiotic prescribing.

Association Between Blood Eosinophils and Neutrophils With Clinical Features in Adult-Onset Asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a disease that can be separated into different phenotypes and endotypes based on the clinical characteristics and the molecular mechanisms of the condition, respectively.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts with clinical and molecular features in patients with adult-onset asthma.

METHODS

Blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts were measured from 203 patients who took part in the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study and attended the 12-year follow-up visit. The patients were then divided into four groups (paucigranulocytic [n = 108], neutrophilic [n = 60], eosinophilic [n = 21], and mixed granulocytic [n = 14]), according to eosinophil and neutrophil levels. The cutoff values used to define the groups were 0.30 × 10⁹ · L^-1 for blood eosinophils and 4.4 × 10⁹ · L^-1 for blood neutrophils.

RESULTS

The neutrophilic group had highest body mass index. It was dispensed the highest doses of inhaled corticosteroids during the 12-year follow-up and made the most unplanned respiratory visits. The neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and mixed granulocytic groups had more severe asthma compared with the paucigranulocytic group. The neutrophilic and eosinophilic groups were associated with higher dispensed antibiotics. The eosinophilic group had more nasal polyps, more suspected sinusitis, a greater decline in lung function, and increased levels of periostin, FeNO, and IgE. The neutrophilic group had increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase-9, IL-6, leptin, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels. The mixed granulocytic group showed increased resistin levels together with the neutrophilic group.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to blood eosinophils, the blood neutrophil count reflects underlying inflammatory patterns and indicates important differences in asthma clinical features and outcomes.

Human matters in asthma: Considering the microbiome in pulmonary health

Microbial communities form an important symbiotic ecosystem within humans and have direct effects on health and well-being. Numerous exogenous factors including airborne triggers, diet, and drugs impact these established, but fragile communities across the human lifespan. Crosstalk between the mucosal microbiota and the immune system as well as the gut-lung axis have direct correlations to immune bias that may promote chronic diseases like asthma. Asthma initiation and pathogenesis are multifaceted and complex with input from genetic, epigenetic, and environmental components. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of the airway microbiome in asthma, and how the environment, diet and therapeutics impact this low biomass community of microorganisms. We also focus this review on the pediatric and Black populations as high-risk groups requiring special attention, emphasizing that the whole patient must be considered during treatment. Although new culture-independent techniques have been developed and are more accessible to researchers, the exact contribution the airway microbiome makes in asthma pathogenesis is not well understood. Understanding how the airway microbiome, as a living entity in the respiratory tract, participates in lung immunity during the development and progression of asthma may lead to critical new treatments for asthma, including population-targeted interventions, or even more effective administration of currently available therapeutics.

Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated With Antibiotic Therapy in Children Hospitalized With Asthma Exacerbation

OBJECTIVE

Despite lack of benefit, antibiotics are overused in management of asthma exacerbation in children. In this study, data from a single children's hospital were analyzed to identify factors and outcomes associated with antibiotic use in children hospitalized with asthma.

METHODS

The study population was identified by using administrative data from 2012 to 2015, with subsequent verification of asthma. We analyzed factors associated with antibiotic use (demographic, seasonal, clinical) and outcome (length of stay [LOS]) with respect to: 1) disposition to pediatric floor (PF) or pediatric intensive care unit (PICU); and 2) evidence of coexisting bacterial infection and/or fever. Statistical analysis included univariate and controlled regression models. Data are presented as median and IQR for continuous variables and OR and regression coefficient (β) with 95% CIs for regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 600 patients, 28.8% were admitted to PICU, 14.8% had verified bacterial infection, and 53.8% received antibiotic, mainly azithromycin. Nearly all PICU patients were treated with antibiotic, irrespective of coexisting bacterial infection or fever. Among PF patients, nearly 30% without bacterial infection or fever and 40% with fever alone received antimicrobials. Overall risk for antibiotic treatment was associated with older age, female sex, desaturation events, oxygen supplementation, and PICU admission. Additionally, antibiotic treatment was associated with 13- to 19-hour increased LOS for PF patients without bacterial infection and/or fever.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of pediatric patients admitted with asthma exacerbation received antibiotic therapy with no clear indication, which was associated with prolonged LOS.

Dangerous liaisons: Bacteria, antimicrobial therapies, and allergic diseases

Microbiota composition and associated metabolic activities are essential for the education and development of a healthy immune system. Microbial dysbiosis, caused by risk factors such as diet, birth mode, or early infant antimicrobial therapy, is associated with the inception of allergic diseases. In turn, allergic diseases increase the risk for irrational use of antimicrobial therapy. Microbial therapies, such as probiotics, have been studied in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases, but evidence remains limited due to studies with high heterogeneity, strain-dependent effectiveness, and variable outcome measures. In this review, we sketch the relation of microbiota with allergic diseases, the overuse and rationale for the use of antimicrobial agents in allergic diseases, and current knowledge concerning the use of bacterial products in allergic diseases. We urgently recommend 1) limiting antibiotic therapy in pregnancy and early childhood as a method contributing to the reduction of the allergy epidemic in children and 2) restricting antibiotic therapy in exacerbations and chronic treatment of allergic diseases, mainly concerning asthma and atopic dermatitis. Future research should be aimed at antibiotic stewardship implementation strategies and biomarker-guided therapy, discerning those patients that might benefit from antibiotic therapy.

Application of antibiotics before 3 years of age increases the risk of childhood overweight and obesity

Childhood obesity and antibiotics abuse have become global health problems. It is necessary to explore the correlation between application of antibiotics for children under 3 and the risk of overweight and obesity in children. In the present study, young children aged 3 (36-38 months) were investigated using a face-to-face questionnaire survey. These children were admitted to Dongying City Children's Hospital from December 2017 to May 2019, and the effective sample size was 4,258. According to the body mass index (BMI), young children were divided into two groups, including emaciation and normal group as well as overweight and obesity group. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the possible influencing factors between the two groups using chi-square test. A difference of P<0.05 indicated statistical significance of a certain factor between the two groups, which could be adopted as an influencing factor in Logistic regression analysis. In addition, odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to quantify the correlation of antibiotic application with the risk of overweight and obesity. A total of 3,322 young children (78.0%) were included in the antibiotic group while the remaining 936 (22.0%) were enrolled in the non-antibiotic group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that antibiotic application increased the risk of overweight and obesity among the 3-year-old young children (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03-2.01). In addition, application of antibiotics for five times or higher significantly increased the risk of overweight and obesity (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.07-2.80), and such risks were more significant in children who were administered antibiotics for the first time within 6 months of age (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.08-2.69). The application of antibiotics in infants and young children was thus revealed to increase the risk of overweight and obesity at the age of 3 in a frequency-dependent manner.

Considerations for Designing EHR-Embedded Clinical Decision Support Systems for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Pediatric Emergency Departments

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to explore the intersection between organizational environment, workflow, and technology in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and how these factors impact antibiotic prescribing decisions.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews with 17 providers (1 fellow and 16 attending faculty), and observations of 21 providers (1 physician assistant, 5 residents, 3 fellows, and 12 attendings) were conducted at three EDs in the United States. We analyzed interview transcripts and observation notes using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Seven themes relating to antibiotic prescribing decisions emerged as follows: (1) professional judgement, (2) cognition as a critical individual resource, (3) decision support as a critical organizational resource, (4) patient management with imperfect information, (5) information-seeking as a primary task, (6) time management, and (7) broad process boundaries of antibiotic prescribing.

DISCUSSION

The emerging interrelated themes identified in this study can be used as a blueprint to design, implement, and evaluate clinical decision support (CDS) systems that support antibiotic prescribing in EDs. The process boundaries of antibiotic prescribing are broader than the current boundaries covered by existing CDS systems. Incongruities between process boundaries and CDS can under-support clinicians and lead to suboptimal decisions. We identified two incongruities: (1) the lack of acknowledgment that the process boundaries go beyond the physical boundaries of the ED and (2) the lack of integration of information sources (e.g., accessibility to prior cultures on an individual patient outside of the organization).

CONCLUSION

Significant opportunities exist to improve appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing by considering process boundaries in the design, implementation, and evaluation of CDS systems.

The economic burden of medical treatment of children with asthma in China

Background

At present, there are few studies on the economic burden and medical treatment of children with asthma in China. Thus this study aimed to investigate the economic burden of medical treatment of children with asthma in China.

Method

The 2015 China Medical Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) database was searched for patients with asthma from 0 to 14 years old. A cross-sectional study with cost analysis was conducted.

Results

The annual per capita direct medical cost was RMB 525 (US$75) related to asthma. Totaling 58% of the medical expenditure for asthma was covered by insurance in China, the majority of which were direct medical costs. Those that have the highest rates of using antibiotics were central China (100.0%), children aged 3 years and under (63.6%), as well as fourth-tier and fifth-tier cities (77.1%). Outpatient clinics (98.58% vs 1.42%, P < 0.01), tertiary hospitals (62.08% vs 37.92%, P < 0.01), and general hospitals (72.27% vs 27.73%, P < 0.01) were more often visited than the inpatient clinics, secondary and primary as well as the specialized clinics, respectively.

Conclusion

The economic burden of childhood asthma in China is relatively low, and the national medical insurance reduces their economic burden to a large extent. Abuse of antibiotics in treating asthma was found in China. There remain opportunities to strengthen the hierarchical medical system, reducing hospitalization and emergency visits, and ultimately reducing the economic burden of children with asthma.

Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in children hospitalised for asthma exacerbation: a retrospective national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance represents a worldwide public health threat. Characterising prescribing patterns for conditions for which antibiotics have no role can inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Asthma is among the most common non-infectious diseases in children and results in 100 000 hospitalisations annually in the USA. We sought to identify the rate of antibiotic prescribing in children hospitalised for asthma exacerbations, and to characterise patient and hospital factors associated with receipt of antibiotics.

METHODS

Children and adolescents aged 2-17 years admitted to hospital between 1 October 2015 and 30 June 2018 with an asthma exacerbation were identified from the Premier Alliance Database. After excluding hospitalisations for which antibiotics appeared to have been justified, we assessed receipt and duration of antibiotic treatments during the hospital stay. We developed a hierarchical logistic regression model to identify patient and hospital factors associated with antibiotic treatment. For each hospital with at least 10 asthma cases we computed the percentage of cases receiving antibiotic treatment.

RESULTS

23 129 hospital stays met inclusion criteria; in 3329 (14%) of these, antibiotics were prescribed without clear indication. Hospital prescribing rates varied widely (range 0%-95%), with 25% of hospitals prescribing antibiotics at a rate of 27.5% or more. Patient factors most strongly associated with receipt of antibiotics included the presence of a complex chronic condition (OR: 2.4, 95% CI 2.1 to 2.9; p<0.0001) and admission to the intensive care unit compared with a general medical-surgical bed (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.9; p<0.0001). Hospitalisation at general hospitals with minimum paediatric specialty support conferred a nearly threefold higher odds of antibiotic treatment (OR: 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.6; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings illustrate an opportunity to reduce unnecessary exposure to antibiotics in children hospitalised with asthma, particularly in general hospitals where three-quarters of children in the USA receive their hospital-based care.

Antibiotic Prescribing for Viral Respiratory Infections in the Pediatric Emergency Department and Urgent Care

BACKGROUND

Viral acute respiratory tract infections (vARTI) are a frequent source of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. We describe the prevalence of antibiotic prescribing for vARTI in the pediatric emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) within a health system, and identify factors associated with overall and broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review within a single pediatric referral health system. Visits of patients, 3 months- 17 years old, with a discharge diagnosis of a vARTI from 2010 to 2015. Data collected included specific vARTI diagnosis, site type (ED or UC), provider type [pediatric emergency medicine subspecialist or physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants (non-PEM)] and discharge antibiotics. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated where appropriate.

RESULTS

There were 132,458 eligible visits, mean age 4.1 ± 4.3 years. Fifty-three percent were treated in an ED. Advanced practice providers, a term encompassing nurse practitioners and physician assistants, were the most common provider type (47.7%); 16.5% of patients were treated by a pediatric emergency medicine subspecialist. Antibiotics were prescribed for 3.8% (95% CI: 3.72-3.92) of children with vARTI; 25.4% (95% CI: 24.2-26.6) of these were broad-spectrum, most commonly first-generation cephalosporins (11%; 95% CI 10.2-11.9). Patients treated in an ED or by a non-PEM and those receiving chest radiograph (CXR) received antibiotics most frequently. Prescribing rates varied by specific vARTI diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients discharged from the pediatric ED or UC with vARTI receive inappropriate antibiotics at a lower rate than reported in other community settings; however, they frequently receive broad-spectrum agents.

Question 4: Is there a role for antibiotics in infantile wheeze?

Acute wheezing episodes are frequent in young children and are associated with high morbidity and healthcare utilization. The role of respiratory viruses in triggering acute wheezing is well known. There is also accumulating evidence that airway bacteria, either alone or as part of bacteria-virus interaction, are important determinants of acute asthma exacerbations. Targeting airway bacteria with antibiotics to reduce the severity of acute wheezing episodes and prevent recurrent wheezing among preschool children has been recently evaluated in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The results of these studies are controversial. An interventional approach with azithromycin in young children during acute wheezing episodes cannot be generically incorporated into clinical practice, due to the potential consequences of widespread use of antibiotics in such a common clinical setting. This intervention may be reserved for children with really severe, recurrent wheezing episodes. Future research should focus on risk factors that facilitate acquisition of bacterial airway infection in young children and better understanding how virus and bacteria interact with each other during wheezing attacks. Identifying objective biomarkers that may direct the treatment to specific groups of children may represent a significant step forward in the clinical approach of acute wheezing.

Use of antibiotics and asthma medication for acute lower respiratory tract infections in people with and without asthma: retrospective cohort study

Background

Antibiotics are overused in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), but less is known about their use in patients with asthma, or the use of asthma medication for ALRTI in patients without asthma. Our aim was to describe the frequency, variation and drivers in antibiotic and asthma medication prescribing for ALRTI in adults with and without asthma in primary care.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged ≥12 years, diagnosed with an ALRTI in primary care in 2014–15 was conducted using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Current asthma status, asthma medication and oral antibiotic use within 3 days of ALRTI infection was determined. Treatment frequency was calculated by asthma status. Mixed-effect regression models were used to explore between-practice variation and treatment determinants.

Results

There were 127,976 ALRTIs reported among 110,418 patients during the study period, of whom 17,952 (16%) had asthma. Respectively, 81 and 79% of patients with and without asthma received antibiotics, and 41 and 15% asthma medication. There were significant differences in between-practice prescribing for all treatments, with greatest differences seen for oral steroids (odds ratio (OR) 18; 95% CI 7–82 and OR = 94; 33–363, with and without asthma) and asthma medication only (OR 7; 4–18 and OR = 17; 10–33, with and without asthma).

Independent predictors of antibiotic prescribing among patients with asthma included fewer previous ALRTI presentations (≥2 vs. 0 previous ALRTI: OR = 0.25; 0.16–0.39), higher practice (OR = 1.47; 1.35–1.60 per SD) and prior antibiotic prescribing (3+ vs. 1 prescriptions OR = 1.28; 1.04–1.57) and concurrent asthma medication (OR = 1.44; 1.32–1.57). Independent predictors of asthma medication in patients without asthma included higher prior asthma medication prescribing (≥7 vs. 0 prescriptions OR = 2.31; 1.83–2.91) and concurrent antibiotic prescribing (OR = 3.59; 3.22–4.01).

Conclusion

Findings from the study indicate that antibiotics are over-used for ALRTI, irrespective of asthma status, and asthma medication is over-used in patients without asthma, with between-practice variation suggesting considerable clinical uncertainty. Further research is urgently needed to clarify the role of these medications for ALRTI.

Discussions About Antibiotics During Adolescent Asthma Visits: Implications for Providers

Children with asthma are exposed to antibiotics more frequently than their peers. The quality of provider-patient discussion about antibiotics is unknown. In this secondary data analysis, we reviewed existing transcripts of audiotaped adolescent asthma visits using a standardized coding sheet to analyze the quality of communication about antibiotics. Of 539 transcripts, we identified 12 discussions about antibiotics. No patient or parent requested antibiotics. In most cases, discussion was limited to assessment of drug allergies and preferred formulation. In 5 cases (42%), the prescribed antibiotic was not named. We propose a set of communication elements that should be included whenever antibiotics are prescribed, classified into ( a) Essential, such as the drug name and dosing schedule; ( b) Encouraged, such as expected response to therapy; or ( c) Situational, such as discussion of alternatives to antibiotics. Future research should further explore the quality of antibiotic-related conversations among different groups of providers and patients.

Azithromycin treatment in children hospitalized with asthma: a retrospective cohort study

Objective: Azithromycin has anti-inflammatory properties in the lungs and decreases the duration of asthma-like episodes in children. We sought to evaluate length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates of children receiving azithromycin therapy during hospitalization for acute asthma exacerbations.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study at an urban, quaternary-care children's hospital including patients under 18 years old hospitalized for asthma, without concurrent infection, from 2002 to 2011. The primary predictor was azithromycin therapy administered within 48 hours of admission. The primary outcome was LOS and the secondary outcomes were 7, 30, and 90-day hospital readmission rates for asthma.Results: Azithromycin therapy was administered to 174 (3%) of 5335 unique patients admitted for asthma, without concurrent infection, over the 10-year period. The overall median LOS was 2.3 days [Interquartile range, 1.8-3.1] and 9% (480) were readmitted for asthma within 90 days of discharge. Azithromycin therapy was associated with a 20% (11 hour) longer LOS (adjusted beta coefficient for log-transformed LOS, 0.18; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.11-0.26), less than the 29% (16 hour) difference determined a priori as clinically relevant. Azithromycin therapy was not associated with 90-day readmission for asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.46-1.72]. The limited number of 7 and 30-day readmissions in the azithromycin treated group precluded adjusted analysis.Conclusions: Azithromycin therapy was not associated with a clinically relevant difference in hospital LOS or with readmission rates for children hospitalized with asthma. Prospective trials are needed to determine the clinical effects of azithromycin therapy in children with asthma.

Antibiotics for exacerbations of asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects over 300 million adults and children worldwide. It is characterised by wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms typically are intermittent and may worsen over a short time, leading to an exacerbation. Asthma exacerbations can be serious, leading to hospitalisation or even death in rare cases. Exacerbations may be treated by increasing an individual's usual medication and providing additional medication, such as oral steroids. Although antibiotics are sometimes included in the treatment regimen, bacterial infections are thought to be responsible for only a minority of exacerbations, and current guidance states that antibiotics should be reserved for cases in which clear signs, symptoms, or laboratory test results are suggestive of bacterial infection.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and safety of antibiotics in the treatment of asthma exacerbations.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, which contains records compiled from multiple electronic and handsearched resources. We also searched trial registries and reference lists of primary studies. We conducted the most recent search in October 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies comparing antibiotic therapy for asthma exacerbations in adults or children versus placebo or usual care not involving an antibiotic. We allowed studies including any type of antibiotic, any dose, and any duration, providing the aim was to treat the exacerbation. We included parallel studies of any duration conducted in any setting and planned to include cluster trials. We excluded cross-over trials. We included studies reported as full-text articles, those published as abstracts only, and unpublished data.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two review authors screened the search results for eligible studies. We extracted outcome data, assessed risk of bias in duplicate, and resolved discrepancies by involving another review author. We analysed dichotomous data as odds ratios (ORs) or risk differences (RDs), and continuous data as mean differences (MDs), all with a fixed-effect model. We described skewed data narratively. We graded the results and presented evidence in 'Summary of findings' tables for each comparison. Primary outcomes were intensive care unit/high dependence unit (ICU/HDU) admission, duration of symptoms/exacerbations, and all adverse events. Seconday outcomes were mortality, length of hospital admission, relapse after index presentation, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).

MAIN RESULTS

Six studies met our inclusion criteria and included a total of 681 adults and children with exacerbations of asthma. Mean age in the three studies in adults ranged from 36.2 to 41.2 years. The three studies in children applied varied inclusion criteria, ranging from one to 18 years of age. Five studies explicitly excluded participants with obvious signs and symptoms of bacterial infection (i.e. those clearly meeting current guidance to receive antibiotics). Four studies investigated macrolide antibiotics, and two studies investigated penicillin (amoxicillin and ampicillin) antibiotics; both studies using penicillin were conducted over 35 years ago. Five studies compared antibiotics versus placebo, and one was open-label. Study follow-up ranged from one to twelve weeks. Trials were of varied methodological quality, and we were able to perform only limited meta-analysis.None of the included trials reported ICU/HDU admission, although one participant in the placebo group of a study including children with status asthmaticus experienced a respiratory arrest and was ventilated. Four studies reported asthma symptoms, but we were able to combine results for only two macrolide studies of 416 participants; the MD in diary card symptom score was -0.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.60 to -0.08), with lower scores (on a 7 point scale) denoting improved symptoms. Two macrolide studies reported symptom-free days. One study of 255 adults authors reported the percentage of symptom-free days at 10 days as 16% in the antibiotic group and 8% in the placebo group. In a further study of 40 children study authors reported significantly more symptom-free days at all time points in the antibiotic group compared with the usual care group. The same study reported the duration in days of the index asthma exacerbation, again favouring the antibiotic group. One study of a penicillin including 69 participants reported asthma symptoms at hospital discharge; the between-group difference for both studies was reported as non-significant.We combined data for serious adverse events from three studies involving 502 participants, but events were rare; the three trials reported only 10 events: five in the antibiotic group and five in the placebo group. We combined data for all adverse events (AEs) from three studies, but the effect estimate is imprecise (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.43). No deaths were reported in any of the included studies.Two studies investigating penicillins reported admission duration; neither study reported a between-group difference. In one study (263 participants) of macrolides, two participants in each arm were reported as experiencing a relapse, defined as a further exacerbation, by the six-week time points. We combined PEFR endpoint results at 10 days for two macrolide studies; the result favoured antibiotics over placebo (MD 23.42 L/min, 95% CI 5.23 to 41.60). One study in children reported the maximum peak flow recorded during the follow-up period, favouring the clarithromycin group, but the confidence interval includes no difference (MD 38.80, 95% CI -11.19 to 88.79).Grading of outcomes ranged from moderate to very low quality, with quality of outcomes downgraded for suspicion of publication bias, indirectness, imprecision, and poor methodological quality of studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found limited evidence that antibiotics given at the time of an asthma exacerbation may improve symptoms and PEFR at follow-up compared with standard care or placebo. However, findings were inconsistent across the six heterogeneous studies included, two of the studies were conducted over 30 years ago and most of the participants included in this review were recruited from emergency departments, limiting the applicability of findings to this population. Therefore we have limited confidence in the results. We found insufficient evidence about several patient-important outcomes (e.g. hospital admission) to form conclusions. We were unable to rule out a difference between groups in terms of all adverse events, but serious adverse events were rare.

Examining Workflow in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Develop a Clinical Decision Support for an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

BACKGROUND

Clinical decision support (CDS) embedded into the electronic health record (EHR), is a potentially powerful tool for institution of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in emergency departments (EDs). However, design and implementation of CDS systems should be informed by the existing workflow to ensure its congruence with ED practice, which is characterized by erratic workflow, intermittent computer interactions, and variable timing of antibiotic prescription.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to characterize ED workflow for four provider types, to guide future design and implementation of an ED-based ASP using the EHR.

METHODS

Workflow was systematically examined in a single, tertiary-care academic children's hospital ED. Clinicians with four roles (attending, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, resident) were observed over a 3-month period using a tablet computer-based data collection tool. Structural observations were recorded by investigators, and classified using a predetermined set of activities. Clinicians were queried regarding timing of diagnosis and disposition decision points.

RESULTS

A total of 23 providers were observed for 90 hours. Sixty-four different activities were captured for a total of 6,060 times. Among these activities, nine were conducted at different frequency or time allocation across four roles. Moreover, we identified differences in sequential patterns across roles. Decision points, whereby clinicians then proceeded with treatment, were identified 127 times. The most common decision points identified were: (1) after/during examining or talking to patient or relative; (2) after talking to a specialist; and (3) after diagnostic test/image was resulted and discussed with patient/family.

CONCLUSION

The design and implementation of CDS for ASP should support clinicians in various provider roles, despite having different workflow patterns. The clinicians make their decisions about treatment at different points of overall care delivery practice; likewise, the CDS should also support decisions at different points of care.

Why Clinical Practice Guidelines Hinder Rather Than Help

Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization among children. Recognition of inadequate control of asthma stimulated the development of Guidelines by an Expert Panel convened by the National Asthma and Prevention Program of the National Institute of Health. Those Guidelines with several revisions spanning 24 years were well-intentioned but ineffective at altering the continued high prevalence of urgent care and hospitalization among children with asthma. Meanwhile, there is strong evidence that specialists, with their greater clinical experience and knowledge have demonstrated excellent outcome compared with non-specialist care. It is time to recognize that there is strong evidence-based data that asthma specialty programs and not Guidelines disseminated to generalists alter the outcome of asthma.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Using Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycles to Reduce Unjustified Antibiotic Prescribing in Children Admitted With an Asthma Exacerbation

OBJECTIVE

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) ensure appropriate antibiotic use, reduce health care costs, and minimize antibiotic resistance. National asthma guidelines do not recommend antibiotics during an exacerbation unless the child has an infection or comorbidities. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established a benchmark for unjustified antibiotic use at 6.6%.9 A retrospective study at our institution showed that 7.8% of antibiotics were prescribed without justification in children admitted for asthma. The purpose of this study was to reduce unjustified antibiotic use at our institution by 25% in children through an ASP directed toward asthma.

METHODS

The study period lasted from November 2015 to March 2016. Children 6 months to 17 years of age, admitted for an asthma exacerbation, were included while those with comorbidities were excluded. A multidisciplinary team from pediatric pharmacotherapy, pulmonology, emergency department (ED), infectious diseases, and quality improvement was formed to focus on process improvement. Interventions were executed in a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. In cycle 1, our asthma guidelines on appropriate antibiotic use were disseminated to pediatric house staff and posted in pediatric units. Cycle 2 encompassed presenting the ASP and guidelines to the pediatric ED staff. Cycle 3 consisted of a journal club with the pulmonary division to discuss the role of azithromycin in an asthma exacerbation.

RESULTS

In cycle 1, twenty-four patients were reviewed in November 2015. Antibiotics were prescribed in 8/24 (33%) children, with an unjustified rate of 2/24 (8.3%). In cycle 2, twenty-three patients were reviewed in December and January with 8/23 (35%) prescribed antibiotics and an unjustified rate of 2/23 (8.7%). For cycle 3, in February and March 2016, twenty-one children were reviewed. Antibiotics were prescribed in 6/21 (27%) children and all were justified. In total, 68 patients were included in our study and had an unjustified antibiotic prescribing rate of 4/68 (5.9%), a reduction of 25%.

CONCLUSION

Our ASP surpassed the benchmark set by AAP guidelines, by reducing the percentage of unjustified antibiotics in children with asthma to 5.9%.

Current and future management of the young child with early onset wheezing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we discuss current thinking in relation to available guidelines for the care of preschool-aged children with recurrent wheezing, while highlighting the gaps in our knowledge and discussing changes that could occur over the next 5 years.

RECENT FINDINGS

The Asthma Predictive Index as well as allergen-specific IgE, peripheral eosinophil count and exhaled nitric oxide are perhaps underutilized sources of information that can assist in predicting progression to asthma and response to therapies. Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists decrease impairment and exacerbation frequency in wheezing children but are not disease modifying. Macrolides may be useful during acute wheezing episodes for preventing progression to more severe symptoms. Monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE and TH2 cytokines have been successful in trials of adults and older children with asthma, but trials in younger children are needed.

SUMMARY

Establishing the phenotype and endotype of young wheezing children can be useful for prognostication of future asthma risk as well as for selection of the most appropriate treatment. Primary asthma prevention strategies are needed during the critical developmental window in early life prior to the onset of irrecoverable loss of lung function.

Thai pediatricians' current practice toward childhood asthma

BACKGROUND

Childhood asthma is a substantial health burden in Thailand. Due to a lack of pediatric respiratory specialists (pediatric pulmonologists and allergists; RS), most Thai children are cared for by general pediatricians (pediatric primary care providers (PCP)).

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether current practices of Thai pediatricians complied with asthma guidelines and compared practices (diagnosis and treatments) provided by PCP and RS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic surveys including four case scenarios of different asthma phenotypes distributed to Thai pediatricians. Asthma diagnosis and management were evaluated for compliance with standard guidelines. The practices of PCP and RS were compared.

RESULTS

From 800 surveys distributed, there were 405 respondents (51%). Most respondents (81%) were PCP, who preferred to use clinical diagnosis rather than laboratory investigations to diagnose asthma. For acute asthmatic attacks, 58% of the pediatricians prescribed a systemic corticosteroid. For uncontrolled asthma, 89% of the pediatricians prescribed at least one controller. For exercise-induced bronchospasm, 55% of the pediatricians chose an inhaled bronchodilator, while 38% chose a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA). For virus-induced wheeze, 40% of the respondents chose an LTRA, while 15% chose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). PCP prescribed more oral bronchodilators (31% vs. 18%, p = 0.02), antibiotics (20% vs. 6%, p < 0.001), and antihistamines (13% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) than RS for the management of an acute asthmatic attack.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the Thai pediatricians' practices toward diagnosis and treatment of acute asthmatic attack and uncontrolled asthma conform to the guidelines. PCP prescribed more oral bronchodilators, antibiotics, and antihistamines than RS.

Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

The frequent use of antimicrobials in pediatric patients has led to a significant increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections among children. Antimicrobial stewardship programs have been created in many hospitals in an effort to curtail and optimize the use of antibiotics. Pediatric-focused programs are necessary because of the differences in antimicrobial need and use among this patient population, unique considerations and dosing, vulnerability for resistance due to a lifetime of antibiotic exposure, and the increased risk of adverse events. This paper serves as a position statement of the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) who supports the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs for all pediatric patients. PPAG also believes that a pediatric pharmacy specialist should be included as part of that program and that services be covered by managed care organizations and government insurance entities. PPAG also recommends that states create legislation similar to that in existence in California and Missouri and that a federal Task Force for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria be permanently established. PPAG also supports post-doctoral pharmacy training programs in antibiotic stewardship.

Long-Acting β-Agonist in Combination or Separate Inhaler as Step-Up Therapy for Children with Uncontrolled Asthma Receiving Inhaled Corticosteroids

BACKGROUND

Adding a long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) using a fixed-dose combination (FDC) inhaler is the UK guideline recommendation for children aged more than 4 years with uncontrolled asthma. The evidence of benefit of adding an FDC inhaler over a separate LABA inhaler is limited.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a LABA added as an FDC inhaler, and as a separate inhaler, in children with uncontrolled asthma.

METHODS

Two UK primary care databases were used to create a matched cohort study with a 2-year follow-up period. We included children prescribed their first step-up from ICS monotherapy. Two cohorts were formed for children receiving an add-on LABA as an FDC inhaler, or a separate LABA inhaler. Matching variables and confounders were identified by comparing characteristics during a baseline year of follow-up. Outcomes were examined during the subsequent year. The primary outcome was an adjusted odds ratio for overall asthma control (defined as follows: no asthma-related hospital admission or emergency room visit, prescription for oral corticosteroids or antibiotic with evidence of respiratory consultation, and ≤2 puffs of short-acting β-agonist daily).

RESULTS

The final study consisted of 1330 children in each cohort (mean age 9 years; 59% male). In the separate ICS+LABA cohort, the odds of achieving overall asthma control were lower (adjusted odds ratio, 0.77 [95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.91]; P = .001) compared with the FDC cohort.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates a small but significant benefit in achieving asthma control from an add-on LABA as an FDC, compared with a separate inhaler and this supports current guideline recommendations.

Practice Variation in Management of Childhood Asthma Is Associated with Outcome Differences

BACKGROUND

Although specialist asthma care improves children's asthma outcomes, the impact of primary care management is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether variation in preventive and acute care for asthma in pediatric practices affects patients' outcomes.

METHODS

For 22 practices, we aggregated 12-month patient data obtained by chart review and parent telephone interviews for 948 children, 3 to 12 years old, diagnosed with asthma to obtain practice-level measures of preventive (≥1 asthma maintenance visit/year) and acute (≥1 acute asthma visit/year) asthma care. Relationships between practice-level measures and individual asthma outcomes (symptom-free days, parental quality of life, emergency department [ED] visits, and hospitalizations) were explored using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for seasonality, specialist care, Medicaid insurance, single-family status, and race.

RESULTS

For every 10% increase in the proportion of children in the practice receiving preventive care, symptom-free days per child increased by 7.6 days (P = .02) and ED visits per child decreased by 16.5% (P = .002), with no difference in parental quality of life or hospitalizations. Only the association between more preventive care and fewer ED visits persisted in adjusted analysis (12.2% reduction; P = .03). For every 10% increase in acute care provision, ED visits per child and hospitalizations per child decreased by 18.1% (P = .02) and 16.5% (P < .001), respectively, persisting in adjusted analyses (ED visits 8.6% reduction, P = .02; hospitalizations 13.9%, P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Children cared for in practices providing more preventive and acute asthma care had improved outcomes, both impairment and risk. Persistence of improved risk outcomes in the adjusted analyses suggests that practice-level interventions to increase asthma care may reduce childhood asthma disparities.

Medicaid prescription limits: policy trends and comparative impact on utilization

Background

Medicaid programs face growing pressure to control spending. Despite evidence of clinical harms, states continue to impose policies limiting the number of reimbursable prescriptions (caps). We examined the recent use of prescription caps by Medicaid programs and the impact of policy implementation on prescription utilization.

Methods

We identified Medicaid cap policies from 2001–2010. We classified caps as applying to all prescriptions (overall caps) or only branded prescriptions (brand caps). Using state-level, aggregate prescription data, we developed interrupted time-series analyses to evaluate the impact of implementing overall caps and brand caps in a subset of states with data available before and after cap initiation. For overall caps, we examined the use of essential medications, which were classified as preventive or as providing symptomatic benefit. For brand caps, we examined the use of all branded drugs as well as branded and generic medications among classes with available generic replacements.

Results

The number of states with caps increased from 12 in 2001 to 20 in 2010. Overall cap implementation (n = 3) led to a 0.52 % (p < 0.001) annual decrease in the proportion of essential prescriptions but no change in cost. For preventive essential medications, overall caps led to a 1.12 % (p = 0.001) annual decrease in prescriptions (246,000 prescriptions annually) and a 1.20 % (p < 0.001) decrease in spending (−$12.2 million annually), but no decrease in symptomatic essential medication use. Brand cap implementation (n = 6) led to an immediate 2.29 % (p = 0.16) decrease in branded prescriptions and 1.26 % (p = 0.025) decrease in spending. For medication classes with generic replacements, the decrease in branded prescriptions (0.74 %, p = 0.003) approximately equaled the increase in generics (0.79 %, p = 0.009), with estimated savings of $17.4 million.

Conclusions

An increasing number of states are using prescription caps, with mixed results. Overall caps decreased the use of preventive but not symptomatic essential medications, suggesting that patients assign higher priority to agents providing symptomatic benefit when faced with reimbursement limits. Among medications with generic replacements, brand caps shifted usage from branded drugs to generics, with considerable savings. Future research should analyze the patient-level impact of these policies to measure clinical outcomes associated with these changes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1258-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Trends in the use of prescription antibiotics: NHANES 1999-2012

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were: to examine trends in the use of prescription antibiotics overall and by population subgroups between 1999 and 2012; and to examine trends in the use of categories of antibiotics and individual antibiotics.

METHODS

Use of antibiotics was examined among 71 444 participants in the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999-2012). Use of an antibiotic in the past 30 days was the main outcome variable. Analyses of trends were conducted overall and separately by population subgroups (i.e. age, sex, race/Hispanic origin, health insurance status and respiratory conditions) across four time periods (1999-2002, 2003-06, 2007-10 and 2011-12).

RESULTS

The percentage of the US population that used a prescription antibiotic in the past 30 days significantly declined from 6.1% in 1999-2002 to 4.1% in 2011-12 (P < 0.001). Declines were also identified for five age groups (0-1 year, 6-11 years, 12-17 years, 18-39 years and 40-59 years), both sexes, non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black persons, persons with and without insurance and among those who currently had asthma. Significant declines were also observed for three categories of antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolide derivatives). Of the most common antibiotics prescribed, only amoxicillin use decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, there was a significant decline in the use of antibiotics between 1999-2002 and 2011-12. Due to concerns about antimicrobial resistance, it is important to continue monitoring the use of antibiotics.

Early-life antibiotic use is associated with wheezing among children with high atopic risk: a prospective European study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the relationship between antibiotic use and asthma in the children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization. We examine the association between the use of specific therapeutic antibiotics in the first year of life and development of wheezing by 36 months among children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization.

METHODS

A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted among children at high risk for allergic sensitization. A validated questionnaire was used to prospectively collect information on antibiotic use and potential risk factors for wheezing from parents or guardians of 606 children from three European countries at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders and effect modifiers and to estimate the association of antibiotic use with the development of early childhood wheezing.

RESULTS

Of the antibiotics assessed, only macrolide use in the first year of life was associated with increasing risk for wheezing by 36 months, after adjusting for gender, socioeconomic status, breast feeding >6 months, tobacco smoke exposure, family history of asthma, and respiratory infection (RR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.05-1.13). To avoid a bias by indication, we analyzed children with and without respiratory infection separately. Similar associations were observed for macrolides use in children who had no respiratory infection.

CONCLUSIONS

In European children with a familial risk for allergic sensitization, we found a positive association between macrolide use in the first year of life and wheezing until 36 months old which was independent of the effect of respiratory infection.

Early Administration of Azithromycin and Prevention of Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Illnesses in Preschool Children With a History of Such Illnesses: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Many preschool children develop recurrent, severe episodes of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI). Although viral infections are often present, bacteria may also contribute to illness pathogenesis. Strategies that effectively attenuate such episodes are needed.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if early administration of azithromycin, started prior to the onset of severe LRTI symptoms, in preschool children with recurrent severe LRTIs can prevent the progression of these episodes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial conducted across 9 academic US medical centers in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's AsthmaNet network, with enrollment starting in April 2011 and follow-up complete by December 2014. Participants were 607 children aged 12 through 71 months with histories of recurrent, severe LRTIs and minimal day-to-day impairment.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly assigned to receive azithromycin (12 mg/kg/d for 5 days; n = 307) or matching placebo (n = 300), started early during each predefined RTI (child's signs or symptoms prior to development of LRTI), based on individualized action plans, over a 12- through 18-month period.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was the number of RTIs not progressing to a severe LRTI, measured at the level of the RTI, that would in clinical practice trigger the prescription of oral corticosteroids. Presence of azithromycin-resistant organisms in oropharyngeal samples, along with adverse events, were among the secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 937 treated RTIs (azithromycin group, 473; placebo group, 464) were experienced by 443 children (azithromycin group, 223; placebo group, 220), including 92 severe LRTIs (azithromycin group, 35; placebo group, 57). Azithromycin significantly reduced the risk of progressing to severe LRTI relative to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.41-0.98], P = .04; absolute risk for first RTI: 0.05 for azithromycin, 0.08 for placebo; risk difference, 0.03 [95% CI, 0.00-0.06]). Induction of azithromycin-resistant organisms and adverse events were infrequently observed.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among young children with histories of recurrent severe LRTIs, the use of azithromycin early during an apparent RTI compared with placebo reduced the likelihood of severe LRTI. More information is needed on the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens with this strategy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01272635.

Pro-Con Debate: Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis as a Cause of Chronic Cough in Children

Pro: Children with chronic cough present a diagnostic challenge. Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a chronic, persistent bacterial infection of conducting airways defined by the presence of cough for longer than 4 weeks that resolves with antimicrobial therapy and without an alternative diagnosis. The diagnosis is made by the findings of increased bronchial secretions and edema of the lower airways on flexible bronchoscopy and positive cultures on bronchoalveolar lavage. It is speculated that an initial respiratory insult such as viral infection disrupts normal surface morphology and ciliary function, which leads to chronic self-perpetuating inflammation with the formation of bacterial biofilms, leading to PBB. PBB is often misdiagnosed as asthma, leading to inappropriate and excessive use of steroids. The importance of timely diagnosis should be emphasized due to the potential that PBB may be a precursor to chronic suppurative lung disease or bronchiectasis if left untreated; however, every patient should be adequately assessed to exclude other causes of chronic cough. Con: Clinical criteria for the diagnosis of PBB are nonspecific and may not distinguish it from other known causes of chronic cough, including viral infections. Benefits from antibiotic therapy (particularly prolonged therapy) have not been demonstrated. Respiratory conditions are the most common reason for antibiotic prescriptions during ambulatory visits in the United States, and many of these prescriptions are inappropriate and/or unnecessary. The proposed diagnostic criteria and recommendations for the treatment of PBB will lead to unnecessary overuse of antibiotics.

Race/Ethnicity and overuse of care: a systematic review

POLICY POINTS: Racial/ethnic differences in the overuse of care (specifically, unneeded care that does not improve patients' outcomes) have received little scholarly attention. Our systematic review of the literature (59 studies) found that the overuse of care is not invariably associated with race/ethnicity, but when it was, a substantial proportion of studies found greater overuse of care among white patients. The absence of established subject terms in PubMed for the overuse of care or inappropriate care impedes the ability of researchers or policymakers to synthesize prior scientific or policy efforts.

CONTEXT

The literature on disparities in health care has examined the contrast between white patients receiving needed care, compared with racial/ethnic minority patients not receiving needed care. Racial/ethnic differences in the overuse of care, that is, unneeded care that does not improve patients' outcomes, have received less attention. We systematically reviewed the literature regarding race/ethnicity and the overuse of care.

METHODS

We searched the Medline database for US studies that included at least 2 racial/ethnic groups and that examined the association between race/ethnicity and the overuse of procedures, diagnostic (care) or therapeutic care. In a recent review, we identified studies of overuse by race/ethnicity, and we also examined reference lists of retrieved articles. We then abstracted and evaluated this information, including the population studied, data source, sample size and assembly, type of care, guideline or appropriateness standard, controls for clinical confounding and financing of care, and findings.

FINDINGS

We identified 59 unique studies, of which 11 had a low risk of methodological bias. Studies with multiple outcomes were counted more than once; collectively they assessed 74 different outcomes. Thirty-two studies, 6 with low risks of bias (LRoB), provided evidence that whites received more inappropriate or nonrecommended care than racial/ethnic minorities did. Nine studies (2 LRoB) found evidence of more overuse of care by minorities than by whites. Thirty-three studies (6 LRoB) found no relationship between race/ethnicity and overuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the overuse of care is not invariably associated with race/ethnicity, when it was, a substantial proportion of studies found greater overuse of care among white patients. Clinicians and researchers should try to understand how and why race/ethnicity might be associated with overuse and to intervene to reduce it.

Antibiotic and Diagnostic Discordance Between ED Physicians and Hospitalists for Pediatric Respiratory Illness

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Imperfect diagnostic tools make it difficult to know the extent to which a bacterial process is contributing to respiratory illness, complicating the decision to prescribe antibiotics. We sought to quantify diagnostic and antibiotic prescribing disagreements between emergency department (ED) and pediatric hospitalist physicians for children admitted with respiratory illness.

METHODS

Manual chart review was used to identify testing, diagnostic, and antibiotic prescribing decisions for consecutive children admitted for respiratory illness in a winter (starting February 20, 2012) and a summer (starting August 20, 2012) season to a tertiary, freestanding children's hospital. Respiratory illness diagnoses were grouped into 3 categories: bacterial, viral, and asthma.

RESULTS

A total of 181 children admitted for respiratory illness were studied. Diagnostic discordance was significant for all 3 types of respiratory illness but greatest for bacterial (P<.001). Antibiotic prescribing discordance was significant (P<.001), with pediatric hospitalists changing therapy for 93% of patients prescribed antibiotics in the ED, including stopping antibiotics altogether for 62% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant diagnostic and antibiotic discordance between ED and pediatric hospitalist physicians exists for children admitted to the hospital for respiratory illness.

Race, otitis media, and antibiotic selection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Previous research suggests that physicians may be less likely to diagnose otitis media (OM) and to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for black versus nonblack children. Our objective was to determine whether race is associated with differences in OM diagnosis and antibiotic prescribing nationally.

METHODS

We examined OM visit rates during 2008 to 2010 for children ≤14 years old using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We compared OM visits between black and nonblack children, as percentages of all outpatient visits and visit rates per 1000. We compared antibiotic prescribing by race as the percentage of OM visits receiving narrow-spectrum (eg, amoxicillin) versus broader-spectrum antibiotics. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine whether race was independently associated with antibiotic selection for OM.

RESULTS

The percentage of all visits resulting in OM diagnosis was 30% lower in black children compared with others (7% vs 10%, P = .004). However, OM visits per 1000 population were not different between black and nonblack children (253 vs 321, P = .12). When diagnosed with OM during visits in which antibiotics were prescribed, black children were less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics than nonblack children (42% vs 52%, P = .01). In multivariable analysis, black race was negatively associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing (adjusted odds ratio 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in treatment choice for black children with OM may indicate race-based differences in physician practice patterns and parental preferences for children with OM.

Establishing benchmarks for the hospitalized care of children with asthma, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis are the leading causes of admission for pediatric patients; however, the lack of accepted benchmarks is a barrier to quality improvement efforts. Using data from children hospitalized with asthma, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia, the goals of this study were to: (1) measure the 2012 performance of freestanding children's hospitals using clinical quality indicators; and (2) construct achievable benchmarks of care (ABCs) for the clinical quality indicators.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional trial using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Patient inclusions varied according to diagnosis: asthma (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 493.0-493.92) from 2 to 18 years of age; bronchiolitis (ICD-9-CM codes 466.11 and 466.19) from 2 months to 2 years of age; and pneumonia (ICD-9-CM codes 480-486, 487.0) from 2 months to 18 years of age. ABC methods use the best-performing hospitals that comprise at least 10% of the total population to compute the benchmark.

RESULTS

Encounters from 42 hospitals included: asthma, 22186; bronchiolitis, 14882; and pneumonia, 12983. Asthma ABCs include: chest radiograph utilization, 24.5%; antibiotic administration, 6.6%; and ipratropium bromide use >2 days, 0%. Bronchiolitis ABCs include: chest radiograph utilization, 32.4%; viral testing, 0.6%; antibiotic administration, 18.5%; bronchodilator use >2 days, 11.4%; and steroid use, 6.4%. Pneumonia ABCs include: complete blood cell count utilization, 28.8%; viral testing, 1.5%; initial narrow-spectrum antibiotic use, 60.7%; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 3.5%; and C-reactive protein, 0.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

We report achievable benchmarks for inpatient care for asthma, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. The establishment of national benchmarks will drive improvement at individual hospitals.

A novel method for detecting inpatient pediatric asthma encounters using administrative data

Multiple methods for detecting asthma encounters are used today in public surveillance, quality reporting, and clinical research. Failure to detect asthma encounters can make it difficult to measure the scope and effectiveness of hospital or community-based interventions important in comparative effectiveness research and accountable care. Given the pairing of asthma with certain respiratory conditions, the objective of this study was to develop and test an asthma detection algorithm with specificity and sensitivity using 2 criteria: (1) principal discharge diagnosis and (2) asthma diagnosis code position. A medical record review was conducted (n=191) as the gold standard for identifying asthma encounters given objective criteria. The study team observed that for certain principal respiratory diagnoses (n=110), the observed odds ratio that encounters were for asthma when asthma was coded in the second or third code position was not significantly different than when asthma was coded as the principal diagnosis, 0.36 (P=0.42) and 0.18 (P=0.14), respectively. In contrast, the observed odds ratio was significantly different when asthma was coded in the fourth or fifth positions (P<.001). This difference remained after adjusting for covariates. Including encounters with asthma in 1 of the 3 first positions increased the detection sensitivity to 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.92] while increasing the false positive rate to 0.19 [95% CI: 0.07-0.31]. Use of the proposed algorithm significantly improved the reporting accuracy [0.83 95%CI:0.76-0.90] over use of (1) the principal diagnosis alone [0.55 95% CI:0.46-0.64] or (2) all encounters with asthma 0.66 [95% CI:0.57-0.75]. Bed days resulting from asthma encounters increased 64% over use of the principal diagnosis alone. Given these findings, an algorithm using certain respiratory principal diagnoses and asthma diagnosis code position can reliably improve asthma encounter detection for population-based health impact measurement.

Can appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma reduce excessive antibiotic usage?

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthma episodes before and after the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric asthma patients who were followed up by specialists.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Included in this study were 334 patients (211 males and 123 females) of 2-16 years of age who were diagnosed with asthma and followed up for at least 1 year in our clinic. The frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthma episodes in the year prior to diagnosis and treatment were compared to these same variables after 1 year of follow-up by specialists.

RESULTS

The median age was 84 months (range: 24-192) and 212 (63%) children were at school or in day care centers. Atopy and a family history of asthma were present in 200 (60%) of the patients, and 137 (41%) reported that at least one member of their household smoked. Antibiotics were used a median number of 7 times [interquartile range (IQR) = 6] in the year before the asthma diagnosis, and 2 times (IQR = 3) during the year after treatment (p < 0.001). The mean number of asthma episodes before diagnosis, i.e. 4 (IQR = 8) was reduced to 0 (IQR = 2) in the year after treatment when the patients were followed up by specialists (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma significantly reduce the frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthmatic episodes.

Utility of adjunctive macrolide therapy in treatment of children with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate macrolides as an adjunct to an asthma controller regimen in children with asthma.

Methods

Prospective clinical trials of macrolide therapy in children with asthma using outcome measures of change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and/or oral corticosteroid requirement were searched for in PubMed up to December 2009. The reference lists of studies were also included in the analysis, as well as those listed in published meta-analyses.

Results

The literature search yielded 116 studies, six of which were included in this meta-analysis. The change in FEV₁ from baseline with adjunctive use of macrolide therapy in all children was not significant (0.25% predicted; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.37, 0.86 predicted, P = 0.43); however, the change in FEV₁ among children receiving daily oral corticosteroids was significant (3.89% predicted; 95% CI −0.01, 7.79, P = 0.05). Addition of macrolide therapy to the treatment of children with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma resulted in a statistically significant decrease in daily corticosteroid dosage (−3.45 mg/day; 95% CI −5.79, −1.09 mg/day, P = 0.004). This reduction in daily corticosteroid dosage was directly proportional to the duration of macrolide therapy (−0.17 mg methylprednisolone per week of macrolide therapy; 95% CI −0.33, −0.021, P = 0.025).

Conclusion

Addition of macrolides to the treatment regimen of children with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma improves FEV₁ and decreases the daily dosage of corticosteroids required for control in these children. The degree of dose reduction is directly related to the duration of macrolide therapy. Additional large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of adjunctive macrolide use in children with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma are required to verify this observation.

Infant antibiotic exposures and early-life body mass

OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations of antibiotic exposures during the first 2 years of life and the development of body mass over the first 7 years of life.

DESIGN

Longitudinal birth cohort study.

SUBJECTS

A total of 11 532 children born at 2500 g in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a population-based study of children born in Avon, UK in 1991-1992.

MEASUREMENTS

Exposures to antibiotics during three different early-life time windows (<6 months, 6-14 months, 15-23 months), and indices of body mass at five time points (6 weeks, 10 months, 20 months, 38 months and 7 years).

RESULTS

Antibiotic exposure during the earliest time window (<6 months) was consistently associated with increased body mass (+0.105 and +0.083 s.d. unit, increase in weight-for-length Z-scores at 10 and 20 months, P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively; body mass index (BMI) Z-score at 38 months +0.067 s.d. units, P=0.009; overweight OR 1.22 at 38 months, P=0.029) in multivariable, mixed-effect models controlling for known social and behavioral obesity risk factors. Exposure from 6 to 14 months showed no association with body mass, while exposure from 15 to 23 months was significantly associated with increased BMI Z-score at 7 years (+0.049 s.d. units, P=0.050). Exposures to non-antibiotic medications were not associated with body mass.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to antibiotics during the first 6 months of life is associated with consistent increases in body mass from 10 to 38 months. Exposures later in infancy (6-14 months, 15-23 months) are not consistently associated with increased body mass. Although effects of early exposures are modest at the individual level, they could have substantial consequences for population health. Given the prevalence of antibiotic exposures in infants, and in light of the growing concerns about childhood obesity, further studies are needed to isolate effects and define life-course implications for body mass and cardiovascular risks.

Addressing antimicrobial resistance to treat children with atopic dermatitis in a tertiary pediatric allergy clinic

BACKGROUND

Secondary skin infection with Staphylococcus aureus is a significant problem in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated antimicrobial resistance patterns of S aureus isolates from skin lesions in AD patients and empiric antimicrobial prescribing patterns.

METHODS

Resistance patterns from positive skin cultures obtained from AD patients in the Allergy/Immunology clinic from May 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008, were compared with all outpatient wound cultures over the same period.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine cultures were obtained from 38 AD patients. S aureus was the most common pathogen cultured from AD patients (53/59 cultures). S aureus resistance to clindamycin and methicillin differed significantly between the study group and the outpatient reference population (37.7% vs 9.4% and 45.3% vs 76.4%). Clindamycin was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial (59%). Overall, 31.4% of organisms showed resistance to the antimicrobial prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

Susceptibility profiles of S aureus isolates from AD patients vary significantly from that of the general population.

Practice patterns in asthma discharge pharmacotherapy in pediatric emergency departments: a pediatric emergency research Canada study

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to examine utilization of β2 agonists via metered dose inhalers with oral and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at discharge in children with acute asthma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective medical record review at six pediatric emergency departments (EDs) of otherwise healthy children 2 to 17 years of age discharged with acute asthma. Data were extracted on history, disease severity, and pharmacotherapy used in the ED and at discharge. The primary outcome was the proportion of children prescribed "comprehensive therapy," i.e., albuterol via metered dose inhaler (MDI) with oral and ICS.

RESULTS

The overall rate of comprehensive therapy was 382 of 654 (58%), which varied from 30% to 84% (p < 0.0001). A total of 570 of 575 children discharged on albuterol received MDIs. Although the rates of prescriptions for oral and ICS were both 80%, only 58% of patients without ICS on arrival were offered ICS at discharge. There was significant variation in the rates of all discharge pharmacotherapies across centers. The independent predictors of comprehensive therapy were daytime presentation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05 to 2.67) and "intensive stabilization" (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.29 to 2.67). Seventeen patients (2.6%) were prescribed antibiotics. Children were more likely to receive antibiotics if they had moderate to severe exacerbations (OR = 2.8) or received a chest radiograph (OR = 8.4).

CONCLUSIONS

The overwhelming majority of children discharged from Canadian pediatric EDs with acute asthma are prescribed inhaled albuterol via MDIs. Although the corticosteroid use at discharge is higher than previously reported, utilization of new prescriptions for ICS may not be optimal. Children presenting during daytime to EDs receiving intensive stabilization are more likely to receive the albuterol/oral steroid/ICS combination.

Training family physicians in shared decision-making to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in acute respiratory infections: a cluster randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Few interventions have proven effective in reducing the overuse of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections. We evaluated the effect of DECISION+2, a shared decision-making training program, on the percentage of patients who decided to take antibiotics after consultation with a physician or resident.

METHODS

We performed a randomized trial, clustered at the level of family practice teaching unit, with 2 study arms: DECISION+2 and control. The DECISION+2 training program included a 2-hour online tutorial followed by a 2-hour interactive seminar about shared decision-making. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who decided to use antibiotics immediately after consultation. We also recorded patients' perception that shared decision-making had occurred. Two weeks after the initial consultation, we assessed patients' adherence to the decision, repeat consultation, decisional regret and quality of life.

RESULTS

We compared outcomes among 181 patients who consulted 77 physicians in 5 family practice teaching units in the DECISION+2 group, and 178 patients who consulted 72 physicians in 4 family practice teaching units in the control group. The percentage of patients who decided to use antibiotics after consultation was 52.2% in the control group and 27.2% in the DECISION+2 group (absolute difference 25.0%, adjusted relative risk 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.34-0.68). DECISION+2 was associated with patients taking a more active role in decision-making (Z = 3.9, p < 0.001). Patient outcomes 2 weeks after consultation were similar in both groups.

INTERPRETATION

The shared decision-making program DECISION+2 enhanced patient participation in decision-making and led to fewer patients deciding to use antibiotics for acute respiratory infections. This reduction did not have a negative effect on patient outcomes 2 weeks after consultation. ClinicalTrials.gov trial register no. NCT01116076.

Impact of delay in asthma diagnosis on chest X-ray and antibiotic utilization by clinicians

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the timeliness of asthma diagnosis on chest X-ray (CXR) and antibiotic utilization in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 276 asthmatic children aged 5-12 years from Rochester, Minnesota. From the time when children met our predetermined asthma criteria, the frequency of CXR and antibiotic utilizations for respiratory illnesses were collected from medical records until age 18 years. Using a Poisson regression model, the frequency of CXR and antibiotic utilizations were compared in children with timely, delayed, or no clinician diagnosis of asthma.

RESULTS

Of the 276 asthmatic patients, 97 (35%) had a timely diagnosis, 122 (44%) had a delayed diagnosis, while 57 patients (21%) had no clinician diagnosis of asthma. There was no significant difference in CXR or antibiotic utilization for respiratory illness between these groups. In addition, this was true for the comparison between the timely diagnosed group and the delayed diagnosed group combining both the group with a delay in asthma diagnosis and the group who never had asthma diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

A delay in the diagnosis of asthma in children is common and overall it may not influence antibiotic and CXR utilization for respiratory symptoms by clinicians. However, its impact on access to asthma-related therapies and other healthcare utilizations could be possible and was not assessed in this study. Given the limitations of our study, a larger prospective study needs to be considered.