A Study on Therapeutic Evaluation of Various Antibiotics in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Adult Patients

Abstract

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most common infectious disease of humans worldwide and continue to be a major cause of morbidity. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have been related to the growing emergence of bacterial resistance, increased incidence of adverse effects and prolonged hospitalization. This article focuses on bacterial infections, which includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lung parenchyma. The main objective of this study is Therapeutic evaluation of various antibiotics in LRTI, and to study the demographic profile of patients, co-morbid conditions and clinical presentation of patients diagnosed with LRT infections. We conducted a single centre, prospective observational study by selecting patients who are diagnosed to have LRTI, patient case sheets were reviewed for antibiotics, co-morbid conditions, chest x-ray reports and different lab parameters in adults who are above 18 years prescribed at Government Fever Hospital, Guntur. A total of 335 patient case sheets were reviewed in the present study during the study period. In this study we observe that the most frequently prescribed antibiotics are higher percentage of patients using Cephalosporins (51.14%) followed by Macrolides (17.09%), Metronidazole (12.58%), Penicillin's (7.66%), Aminoglycosides (3.41%), Doxycycline (3.41%), Fluoroquinolones (3.27%), Carbapenems (1.30%) and other classes of drugs. This study concludes that LRTI usually causes minor illness, but may result in significant morbidity and mortality. Better lay and professional awareness of the often prolonged course of LRTI may improve understanding and appropriate use of antibiotics. Health care professionals are increase the awareness for improving quality of life in critically ill LRT infectious patients and preventing further complications.