1. Long-term impact of an intervention on rapid antigen detection tests in acute pharyngitis
- Author
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Molero, José M., Cordoba, Gloria, López-Valcárcel, Beatriz González, Moragas, Ana, Losa, Juan E., and Llor, Carles
- Subjects
Rapid antigen detection test ,Anti-bacterial agents ,Intervention ,Pharyngitis - Abstract
Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the appropriateness of use and interpretation of rapid antigen detection testing (RADT) and antibiotic prescribing for acute pharyngitis six years after a multifaceted intervention. Design: Before-and-after audit-based study. Location: Primary care centres in eight autonomous Communities. Participants: General practitioners (GP) who had participated in the HAPPY AUDIT intervention study in 2008 and 2009 were invited to participate in a third audit-based study six years later (2015). Method: RADTs were provided to the participating practices and the GPs were requested to consecutively register all adults with acute pharyngitis. A registration form specifically designed for this study was used. Results: A total of 121 GPs out of the 210 who participated in the first two audits agreed to participate in the third audit (57.6%). They registered 3394 episodes of pharyngitis in the three registrations. RADTs were used in 51.7% of all the cases immediately after the intervention, and in 49.4% six years later. Antibiotics were prescribed in 21.3% and 36.1%, respectively (P < .001), mainly when tonsillar exudates were present, and in 5.3% and 19.2% of those with negative RADT results (P< .001). On adjustment for covariables, compared to the antibiotic prescription observed just after the intervention, significantly more antibiotics were prescribed six years later (odds ratio: 2.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.73–2.89). Conclusions: This study shows that that the long-term impact of a multifaceted intervention, focusing on the use and interpretation of RADT in patients with acute pharyngitis, is reducing.
- Published
- 2020