Changing Use of Antibiotics in Community-Based Outpatient Practice, 1991–1999

Figure 1. Overall use of antibiotics decreased in adult visits for the common cold and unspecified upper respiratory tract infections ( s) ( = 0.011), for pharyngitis ( = 0.02), and for acute bronchitis ( < 0.001). Among adults receiving an antibiotic, broad-spectrum agents made up an increased proportion of antibiotic prescriptions for each condition shown (for pharyngitis, = 0.002; for all other conditions, < 0.001). (Results are shown at the level of the patient visit: Broad spectrum indicates visits involving at least one broad-spectrum antibiotic; narrow spectrum indicates visits involving only narrow-spectrum agents.) The mean number of visits occurring annually during the study period is shown for each condition. UTI = urinary tract infection.
Figure 1. Overall use of antibiotics decreased in adult visits for the common cold and unspecified upper respiratory tract infections ( s) ( = 0.011), for pharyngitis ( = 0.02), and for acute bronchitis ( < 0.001). Among adults receiving an antibiotic, broad-spectrum agents made up an increased proportion of antibiotic prescriptions for each condition shown (for pharyngitis, = 0.002; for all other conditions, < 0.001). (Results are shown at the level of the patient visit: Broad spectrum indicates visits involving at least one broad-spectrum antibiotic; narrow spectrum indicates visits involving only narrow-spectrum agents.) The mean number of visits occurring annually during the study period is shown for each condition. UTI = urinary tract infection. Antibiotic prescribing among adults between 1991–1992 and 1998–1999.URTIPPPPP

This Article

  1. Ann Intern Med April 1, 2003 vol. 138 no. 7 525-533
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