[General practitioners who use CRP have a lower antibiotic prescribing rate to patients with sinusitis--secondary publication].
Sinusitis is associated with overuse of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine whether GPs who use the CRP rapid test (CRP) have a lower antibiotic prescribing rate for sinusitis. During a three-week period, a group of GPs registered all patients with respiratory tract infections (n = 17,792). GPs using CRP prescribed antibiotics for 59% and GPs not using CRP prescribed antibiotics for 78% of the patients with sinusitis. CRP was the factor exerting the greatest influence on the prescribing of antibiotics. Implementing CRP in general practice may lead to a reduction in antibiotic prescribing to patients with sinusitis.
Bjerrum
Lars
L
Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis i Odense, Syddansk Universitet, Odense Universitetshospital, DK-5000 Odense C. lbjerrum@health.sdu.dk
Gahrn-Hansen
Bente
B
Munck
Anders P
AP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003718:Denmark; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein