Patterns of Antimicrobial therapy in acute tonsillitis: A cross-sectional Hospital-based study from UAE

Lisha J John,Jayadevan Sreedharan,Tambi Cherian,Meenu Cherian

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201420120036

Lisha J John, Jayadevan Sreedharan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201420120036

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Abstract

Diseases of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) are associated with significant impairment of the daily life and a major cause for absenteeism from work. The study determined antimicrobial prescription pattern in patients with acute tonsillitis. A cross-sectional study was carried out among all the patients attending the ENT department with acute tonsillitis. Data were retrieved from the medical records using a proforma. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS.19. Total of 238 patients included (Males 138; females 100). About 96% of total drugs were prescribed by generic name. Median number of drugs prescribed was four (range 1-7). Eighty eight percent of prescriptions contained antimicrobials, (78.5%) analgesics and (57.9%) antipyretics. Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid (24.8%) and Ceftriaxone (12.2%) were the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Parenteral route was preferred in 41.6%. About 23.7% of the patients on Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid had received the drug as intravenous injection. Culture and sensitivity tests were carried out in 106 (44.5%) of the cases. Antimicrobials were changed / added after the culture and sensitivity test in 25 patients. Study findings highlighted rational practices in drug prescribing. Therapeutic guidelines based on current sensitivity pattern optimize the use of antimicrobial agents.

Highlights

Diseases of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) affect adults and children, with significant impairment of the daily life (Grace and Bussmann 2006, WHO 2004)
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) including nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and otitis media constitute a major proportion of the total episodes of respiratory infections (Jain et al 2001)
The highest numbers of patients were in the age group 20-29 years and the lowest in the 60-79 years

Summary

Introduction

Nose and throat (ENT) affect adults and children, with significant impairment of the daily life (Grace and Bussmann 2006, WHO 2004). Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) including nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and otitis media constitute a major proportion of the total episodes of respiratory infections (Jain et al 2001). This is a major cause for absenteeism from work. Inappropriate use of drugs in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections has been previously reported in literature (Gaash 2008, Brink et al 2004). Aim: The study determined antimicrobial prescription pattern in patients with acute tonsillitis.

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