title: [High exposure to antibiotics in the population and differences by sex and age].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine antibiotic use and its distribution by age and gender, as well as the most prescribed therapeutic group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational descriptive with retrospective data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population from the Lleida (Spain) Health Region receiving antibiotic prescriptions from 2002 to 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Daily Dose Per Inhabitant (DID) was calculated, as well as the number of patients under treatment. The study variables were: age, gender, number of patients under antibiotic treatment and pharmacological group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean prevalence of patients receiving antibiotics was 36.93% (33.51% in men and 40.42% in women). The DID in Lleida during 2007 is 23.52. The majority (56%) had received antibiotics once a year. The antibiotic consumption prevalence has a "V" shape with higher values among children and old people. There is an annual exposure to antibiotics in 58.8% of the 0 to 4 years-old age group. The most prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observe a high antibiotic prescription rate among children and older people, the high consumption in childhood being of note. There is also a higher use of antibiotics among women and changing of prescription towards broad spectrum antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Lleida, España.
authors.forename: M Catalina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Serna
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ribes
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Real
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galván
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gascó
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Godoy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents