Related Experiment Videos

Patients insist on antibiotics for sinusitis? Here is a good reason to say "no"

Sarah-Anne Schumann1, John Hickner

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago, IL, USA.

The Journal of Family Practice
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

For adults with acute sinusitis, avoid prescribing antibiotics unless symptoms are severe. Antibiotics offer minimal benefit for symptom relief and duration, while causing side effects and increasing costs.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acute sinusitis is commonly diagnosed in adults.
  • Antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis is frequent, despite limited evidence of benefit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis in adults.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic prescribing in acute sinusitis.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
  • Analysis of symptom severity, duration, and adverse events.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotics showed minimal to no significant positive effect on symptom severity or duration.
  • Antibiotic use was associated with an increased risk of adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians should refrain from prescribing antibiotics for uncomplicated acute sinusitis in adults.
  • Antibiotic stewardship is crucial to minimize adverse events and healthcare costs.

Related Concept Videos

Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Epistaxis01:30

Epistaxis

Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, occurs when small, swollen blood vessels in the nasal mucous membrane rupture. Typically, the anterior septum is the primary site of occurrence.
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test01:26

Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test

A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause: