Title: A Study of Adherence to Antibiotic Treatment in Ambulatory Respiratory Infections

Authors: Dr Amrut Kumar Mohapatra, Dr Srujana Perumella

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.81

Abstract

Background: Compliance to the prescribed antibiotic treatment is a challenging issue in real world setting. The relationship between healthcare providers and patients is an important factor for compliance. The author conducted a prospective study to assess the adherence to antibiotic treatment in ambulatory respiratory infections.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in five general medicine outpatient clinics from June 2017 to March 2018 in Hyderabad, India. The patients with uncomplicated, suspected acute bacterial pharyngitis and lower respiratory tract infections were included in the study. The data was processed through Power View program v. 1.3.2. (Aardex Ltd.).

Result: Out of total 60 patients enrolled, 26 patients answered the self-reported adherence question (good self-reported adherence) negatively (59.3%), while remaining patients answered either affirmatively or elicited an unclear response. During the study, 13 patients (30.4%) achieved 80% of all the adherence outcomes (excellent), 5 patients (12.4%) missed only one dose for achieving excellent adherence, 13 patients (28.7%) presented declining adherence over time. Excellent adherence was significantly associated with the number of daily doses of the antibiotic (odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.32) and antibiotic duration (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.96).This study compared self-reporting with objectively measured medication adherence using an evidence-based cut-off point in the same study population.

Conclusion: Approximately one in four patients presented with non-adherence to correct dosing and approximately one in four presented with declining adherence over time. The adherence outcomes were consistently and significantly worse with three times-daily antibiotic schedules and better with once-daily antibiotic regimens.

Keywords: Adherence, antibiotic treatment, observational, acute bacterial pharyngitis, lower respiratory tract infections.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Amrut Kumar Mohapatra
Department of Respiratory Medicine, KIMS, Patia, 751024, Bhubaneswar, India
Mobile: 09776326476, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.