Trends in Antimicrobial Prescribing for Bronchitis and Upper Respiratory Infections Among Adults and Children
Arch G. Mainous, III, PhD,
William J. Hueston, MD,
Matthew P. Davis, MD and
William S. Pearson, MHA
Arch G. Mainous III, William J. Hueston, and William S. Pearson are with the Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Matthew P. Davis is with the Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Arch G. Mainous III, Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 295 Calhoun St, PO Box 250192, Charleston, SC 29425 (e-mail: mainouag{at}musc.edu).
Objectives. This study examined antimicrobial prescribing patternsfor adults and children with bronchitis or upper respiratoryinfections (URIs) before and after release of nationally disseminatedpediatric practice recommendations.
Methods. Data from the 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999 National AmbulatoryMedical Care Survey were used to evaluate prescriptions forantimicrobials for URIs and bronchitis.
Results. From 1993 to 1999, the proportion of children receivingantimicrobials after visits for URIs and bronchitis decreased.However, the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials rose from10.6% of bronchitis visits to 40.5%. Prescriptions of antimicrobialsfor adults with URIs or bronchitis showed a decrease between1993 and 1999.
Conclusions. Although antimicrobial prescribing for URIs andbronchitis has decreased for both children and adults, the prescribingof broad-spectrum antibiotics among children has shown a proportionalrise.
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