[Penicillin for acute throat infections. Are there arguments for modifying the guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners?].
A recent study concludes that a 7-day penicillin treatment for a sore throat is superior to a 3-day treatment or a placebo, because the symptoms are resolved two days earlier. Prior to this study, the difference--based on the conclusions of a Cochrane review--was thought to be just 8 hours. The total number of patients included was too small to conclude that penicillin could reduce the number of short-term and long-term complications. In the guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners, a 7-day penicillin treatment for a sore throat is only recommended in severe cases. It is still quite acceptable for Dutch GPs to discuss the treatment options for a sore throat with their patients. A change to the current guidelines is not necessary.
van den Bosch
W J
WJ
Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, vakgroep Huisarts-, Sociale en Verpleeghuisgeneeskunde, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen. w.vandenbosch@hsv.kun.nl
D000208:Acute Disease; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
D010406:Penicillins