Duration of antibiotic treatment for respiratory tract infections in primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The primary driver of antimicrobial resistance is excessive antibiotic use, posing a global threat to public health. Reducing individual exposure to antibiotics is a key to addressing the problem. This study aimed to assess the duration of antibiotic courses administered to patients with acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in primary care.

Methods

Consecutive patients presenting with RTI symptoms were prospectively included from general practices and out-of-hours services in France, Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Spain for two winter periods (February to April 2022 and 2023). Data were collected using a paper-based Audit Project Odense template, with clinicians recording patient age, gender, RTI diagnosis, type of antibiotic prescribed and treatment duration.

SUBMITTER: Llor C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11851008 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature