title: Patterns of antimicrobial therapy in acute tonsillitis: A cross-sectional hospital-based study from UAE.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diseases of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) are associated with significant impairment of the daily life and a major cause for absenteeism from work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study determined antimicrobial prescription pattern in patients with acute tonsillitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out among all the patients attending the ENT department with acute tonsillitis. Data were retrieved from the medical records using a proforma. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS.19.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total of 238 patients included (Males 138; females 100). About 96% of total drugs were prescribed by generic name. Median number of drugs prescribed was four (range 1-7). Eighty eight percent of prescriptions contained antimicrobials, (78.5%) analgesics and (57.9%) antipyretics. Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid (24.8%) and Ceftriaxone (12.2%) were the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Parenteral route was preferred in 41.6%. About 23.7% of the patients on Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid had received the drug as intravenous injection. Culture and sensitivity tests were carried out in 106 (44.5%) of the cases. Antimicrobials were changed / added after the culture and sensitivity test in 25 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings highlighted rational practices in drug prescribing. Therapeutic guidelines based on current sensitivity pattern optimize the use of antimicrobial agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Lisha J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Meenu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cherian
authors.affiliation: Statistical Support Facility, Centre for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Jayadevan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sreedharan
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Tambi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cherian
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents