Trends in antimicrobial prescribing for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections among adults and children. Am J Public Health 2003 Nov;93(11):1910-4
Date
11/06/2003Pubmed ID
14600065Pubmed Central ID
PMC1448075DOI
10.2105/ajph.93.11.1910Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0642367498 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 72 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined antimicrobial prescribing patterns for adults and children with bronchitis or upper respiratory infections (URIs) before and after release of nationally disseminated pediatric practice recommendations.
METHODS: Data from the 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used to evaluate prescriptions for antimicrobials for URIs and bronchitis.
RESULTS: From 1993 to 1999, the proportion of children receiving antimicrobials after visits for URIs and bronchitis decreased. However, the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials rose from 10.6% of bronchitis visits to 40.5%. Prescriptions of antimicrobials for adults with URIs or bronchitis showed a decrease between 1993 and 1999.
CONCLUSIONS: Although antimicrobial prescribing for URIs and bronchitis has decreased for both children and adults, the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics among children has shown a proportional rise.
Author List
Mainous AG 3rd, Hueston WJ, Davis MP, Pearson WSMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bronchitis
Child
Child, Preschool
Common Cold
Drug Prescriptions
Drug Utilization Review
Episode of Care
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Misuse
Humans
Middle Aged
Office Visits
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Respiratory Tract Infections
United States