Antibiotic prescribing patterns for sore throat infections in a university-based primary care clinic.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies reveal that a high percentage (over 50%) of episodes for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are treated with antibiotics, regardless of appropriateness or the necessity for prescription. We identified antibiotic prescriptions in a primary health care centre (PHC) and evaluated their suitability for sore throat infections. We also explored whether symptoms, signs, diagnosis and antibiotics prescribed differed by gender.


METHODS
We collected data on all patients visiting the centre over a period of 12 weeks with a main complaint of sore throat who were prescribed antibiotics after taking a blood count and throat culture. Patients older than 16 years of age were included in the study irrespective of sex, nationality, marital status, occupation or location of residence. The chi square (chi2) statistical test was used in comparing categorical variables. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
During the period of study, 579 patients with URTIs presented to the health centre, from which 339 patients with a sore throat were enrolled. Of the study group, 48.7% (165) were male and 51.3% (174) female, with the majority of patients being under 30 years old (54.3%). Throat cultures were positive in 56 patients (16.5%). Most of patients were diagnosed as having pharyngitis (22.7%), and the most frequently prescribed medicine was an oral penicillin (39.1%). Two hundred eight-six patients (84.4%) had 2 or fewer Centor criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Throat cultures were positive in only 16.5% of the patients prescribed antibiotics. This indicates that physicians in the health centre of the university are prescribing antibiotics inappropriately and inconsistently. This also highlights the need for more prescriber education, especially as the range of medications available to the general practitioner for prescribing increases.
Ayranci
Unal
U
Osmangazi University, Medico-Social Center, Meselik 26480, Eskisehir, Turkey. unalayranci@yahoo.com
Akgün
Yurdanur
Y
Unluoglu
Ilhami
I
Kiremitci
Abdurrahman
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013333:Student Health Services; D014421:Turkey
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents