Respiratory antibacterial prescribing in primary care and the COVID-19 pandemic in England, winter season 2020-21.
Journal
The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
ISSN: 1460-2091
Titre abrégé: J Antimicrob Chemother
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7513617
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 02 2022
23 02 2022
Historique:
received:
02
09
2021
accepted:
12
11
2021
pubmed:
14
12
2021
medline:
1
3
2022
entrez:
13
12
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Antibacterial prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) accounts for almost half of all prescribing in primary care. Nearly a quarter of antibacterial prescribing in primary care is estimated to be inappropriate, the greatest being for RTIs. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the provision of healthcare services and impacted the levels of antibacterials prescribed. To describe the changes in community antibacterial prescribing for RTIs in winter 2020-21 in England. RTI antibacterial prescribing was measured in prescription items/1000 population for primary care from January 2014 and in DDDs/1000 population/day for the totality of RTI prescribing [combined with Accident & Emergency (A&E) in secondary care], from January 2016 to February 2021. Trends were assessed using negative binomial regression and seasonally adjusted interrupted time-series analysis. Antibacterials prescribed for RTIs reduced by a further 12.4% per season compared with pre-COVID (P < 0.001). In winter 2020-21, RTI prescriptions almost halved compared with the previous winter in 2019-20 (P < 0.001). The trend observed for total RTI prescribing (primary care with A&E) was similar to that observed in the community alone. During COVID-19, RTI prescribing reduced in the community and the expected rise in winter was not seen in 2020-21. We found no evidence that RTI prescribing shifted from primary care to A&E in secondary care. The most likely explanation is a decrease in RTIs and presentations to primary care associated with national prevention measures for COVID-19.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Antibacterial prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) accounts for almost half of all prescribing in primary care. Nearly a quarter of antibacterial prescribing in primary care is estimated to be inappropriate, the greatest being for RTIs. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the provision of healthcare services and impacted the levels of antibacterials prescribed.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the changes in community antibacterial prescribing for RTIs in winter 2020-21 in England.
METHODS
RTI antibacterial prescribing was measured in prescription items/1000 population for primary care from January 2014 and in DDDs/1000 population/day for the totality of RTI prescribing [combined with Accident & Emergency (A&E) in secondary care], from January 2016 to February 2021. Trends were assessed using negative binomial regression and seasonally adjusted interrupted time-series analysis.
RESULTS
Antibacterials prescribed for RTIs reduced by a further 12.4% per season compared with pre-COVID (P < 0.001). In winter 2020-21, RTI prescriptions almost halved compared with the previous winter in 2019-20 (P < 0.001). The trend observed for total RTI prescribing (primary care with A&E) was similar to that observed in the community alone.
CONCLUSIONS
During COVID-19, RTI prescribing reduced in the community and the expected rise in winter was not seen in 2020-21. We found no evidence that RTI prescribing shifted from primary care to A&E in secondary care. The most likely explanation is a decrease in RTIs and presentations to primary care associated with national prevention measures for COVID-19.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34897486
pii: 6460284
doi: 10.1093/jac/dkab443
pmc: PMC9383059
doi:
Substances chimiques
Anti-Bacterial Agents
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
799-802Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/W02067X/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
© Crown copyright 2021.
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