Characterisation of antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections in Danish general practice: a retrospective registry based cohort study
Respiratory tract infections: Tracking the overuse of antibiotics Better adherence to guidelines for prescribing antibiotics for different respiratory tract infections are warranted in Danish general practice. The over-use of antibiotics, particularly so-called ‘second-line’ agents such as amoxicill...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Language: | EN |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doaj.org/article/f09cc85bdddd4c4bb5429cdfb5f4d6ed |
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| Summary: | Respiratory tract infections: Tracking the overuse of antibiotics Better adherence to guidelines for prescribing antibiotics for different respiratory tract infections are warranted in Danish general practice. The over-use of antibiotics, particularly so-called ‘second-line’ agents such as amoxicillin, increases resistance and may lead to a potentially catastrophic scenario where antibiotics are no longer effective. Exactly how widespread the over-use of antibiotics is for different infections, however, is not clear. Rune Aabenhus at the University of Copenhagen and co-workers analyzed primary care data regarding antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections including pneumonia and ear infections in Denmark. They found that penicillin V—the current recommended first-line drug in Scandinavian countries—accounted for 58 per cent of prescriptions, a figure which should be improved. Amoxicillin and macrolides were over-prescribed, particularly in elderly patients. The team also call for further analysis of prescriptions given by out-of-hours clinics. |
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