Antibiotic consumption in Turkish hospitals; a multi-centre point prevalence study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Antibiotic consumption is a key factor influencing antimicrobial resistance.
• Understanding antibiotic usage patterns is crucial for developing effective stewardship programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the point prevalence of antibiotic consumption in Turkish hospitals.
• To identify the most frequently used antibiotic classes and their usage patterns.

Main Methods:

• A multi-centre point prevalence study was conducted across 14 Turkish hospitals.
• Antibiotic consumption was measured using the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) method, expressed as DDD per 1000 patient-days (DPD).

Main Results:

• 44.8% of hospitalized patients were using antibiotics, with a total consumption of 674.5 DPD.
• Unrestricted antibiotic use (72%) significantly exceeded restricted use (28%).
• Carbapenems (24%) and beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors (22%) were the most common restricted and unrestricted antibiotics, respectively. Intensive care units showed the highest consumption (1307.7 DPD).

Conclusions:

• High antibiotic consumption, particularly of broad-spectrum agents like carbapenems, is prevalent in Turkish hospitals.
• The findings suggest a potential association between high antibiotic consumption and elevated rates of antibiotic resistance observed in these facilities.
• Implementation of antibiotic stewardship interventions is warranted to optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance.