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Age-related changes in consultations and antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections, 1995-2000. Data

M Ashworth1, J Charlton, R Latinovic

  • 1Department of General Practice & Primary Care, King's College London School of Medicine at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK. mark.ashworth@gp-G85053.nhs.uk

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
|September 9, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic prescribing and consultations for respiratory infections decreased most in school-aged children. Reductions varied by age group, with the greatest declines seen in younger populations for both consultations and antibiotic prescriptions.

Area of Science:

  • General Practice Research
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

  • Global data show declining acute respiratory infection (ARI) consultations and antibiotic prescriptions.
  • Age-specific trends in ARI consultations and antibiotic prescribing are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze age-specific changes in consultation rates for ARIs.
  • To determine how antibiotic prescribing reductions varied by age for different respiratory infections.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the UK General Practice Research Database (108 practices).
  • Estimated age-specific changes between 1995-2000 in consultation rates and antibiotic prescription proportions.
  • Analyzed data for 'all respiratory infections', 'sore throat', 'ear infection', 'bronchitis', and 'chest infection'.

Main Results:

  • Consultation rates for ARIs decreased across all age groups, with the largest drops in children (1-16 years).
  • Antibiotic prescribing reductions were most significant in children (1-16 years), especially for sore throats.
  • The greatest relative reduction in antibiotic prescribing was observed in 5-10 year olds for sore throats (32%).

Conclusions:

  • School-aged children showed the largest decrease in ARI consultations.
  • Preschool and school-aged children experienced the greatest reductions in antibiotic prescribing.
  • The reasons for these rapid changes in consultation rates remain unexplained.
Abstract

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