BACKGROUND: Excessive use of broad spectrum antibiotics is related to the spread of drug resistant bacterial strains in the community. AIM/ METHODS: The effects of immediate testing for C reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) on physicians' choices of antibiotic was investigated in patients with acute infection. Acutely febrile new outpatients were randomised into two groups: group 1 (147 patients) underwent CRP and WBC testing before initial consultation (advance testing). Prescriptions were compared with those in group 2 (no advance testing; 154 patients). RESULTS: In non-pneumonic acute respiratory tract infections, 61 (58%) and 122 (91%) of group 1 and 2 patients were prescribed antibiotics, respectively. Cefcapene pivoxil (third generation cephalosporin) and amoxicillin were the most frequently chosen drugs for group 1 and 2, respectively. Total prescriptions of newer, extended spectrum antibiotics (cefcapene pivoxil and clarithromycin (advanced macrolide)) were reduced by 25% in group 1, although they increased in rate (41 (67%) v 55 (45%) prescriptions) because of the decreased prescription of amoxicillin. In group 1, cefcapene pivoxil was preferentially selected when WBC values were greater than 9 x 10(9)/litre. Prescription shifted to macrolides (mainly clarithromycin) in patients without leucocytosis. Patient treatment outcome did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of CRP and WBC data during initial consultation greatly reduced prescription of amoxicillin, but had a lesser effect on newer, potent, broad spectrum antibiotics.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Excessive use of broad spectrum antibiotics is related to the spread of drug resistant bacterial strains in the community. AIM/ METHODS: The effects of immediate testing for C reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) on physicians' choices of antibiotic was investigated in patients with acute infection. Acutely febrile new outpatients were randomised into two groups: group 1 (147 patients) underwent CRP and WBC testing before initial consultation (advance testing). Prescriptions were compared with those in group 2 (no advance testing; 154 patients). RESULTS: In non-pneumonic acute respiratory tract infections, 61 (58%) and 122 (91%) of group 1 and 2 patients were prescribed antibiotics, respectively. Cefcapene pivoxil (third generation cephalosporin) and amoxicillin were the most frequently chosen drugs for group 1 and 2, respectively. Total prescriptions of newer, extended spectrum antibiotics (cefcapene pivoxil and clarithromycin (advanced macrolide)) were reduced by 25% in group 1, although they increased in rate (41 (67%) v 55 (45%) prescriptions) because of the decreased prescription of amoxicillin. In group 1, cefcapene pivoxil was preferentially selected when WBC values were greater than 9 x 10(9)/litre. Prescription shifted to macrolides (mainly clarithromycin) in patients without leucocytosis. Patient treatment outcome did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of CRP and WBC data during initial consultation greatly reduced prescription of amoxicillin, but had a lesser effect on newer, potent, broad spectrum antibiotics.
Authors: Lavinia Ferrante di Ruffano; Jacqueline Dinnes; Alice J Sitch; Chris Hyde; Jonathan J Deeks Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2017-02-24 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Nahara Anani Martínez-González; Ellen Keizer; Andreas Plate; Samuel Coenen; Fabio Valeri; Jan Yvan Jos Verbakel; Thomas Rosemann; Stefan Neuner-Jehle; Oliver Senn Journal: Antibiotics (Basel) Date: 2020-09-16