Prescription trends for treatment of paediatric gastroenteritis at a Japanese hospital between 1997 and 2007.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate recent trends in prescriptions for the treatment of paediatric gastroenteritis in Japan over a 10-year period (1997-2007).


METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, we collected data for 2295 prescriptions for 1241 putative cases of paediatric gastroenteritis, which were treated between 1997 and 2007 at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan.


RESULTS
The most frequently prescribed drugs were probiotics (n = 621), followed by anti-emetics (n = 474). In most years between 1997 and 2007, more cases were treated with probiotics than with any other drug type (30.6-63.3% of cases), with the percentage increasing between 2005 and 2007. In contrast, the frequencies of anti-emetic and antipyretic prescriptions remained fairly stable, and prescriptions for antibiotics decreased slightly over the study period. Anti-emetics were commonly used in this hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Although experimental evidence upon which to base recommendations is lacking, Japanese evidence-based guidelines are critical for improving the quality of treatment of paediatric gastroenteritis.
Kita
F
F
Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Shibata
Y
Y
Yorifuji
T
T
Nakahata
T
T
Kawakami
J
J
Kawakami
K
K
D000375:Aging; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000932:Antiemetics