Association between use of rapid antigen detection tests and adherence to antibiotics in suspected streptococcal pharyngitis

Abstract

Objective. Few studies have analysed adherence to antibiotic treatment in pharyngitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) and treatment adherence among patients 18 years of age or over with pharyngitis treated with different antibiotic regimens. Design. Prospective study from 2003 to 2008. Setting. Offi ce-based physician practices. Intervention. The adherence of patients prior to the use of RADTs-no test was available until mid-2006-was compared with the adherence associated with the use of RADTs. Subjects. Patients with suspected streptococcal pharyngitis. Main outcome measures. Patient adherence was assessed by electronic monitoring. The adherence outcomes considered were antibiotic-taking adherence, correct dosing, and good timing adherence during at least 80% of the antibiotic course. Results. A total of 196 patients were recruited. The percentage of container openings was 77.9% Ϯ 17.7%, being signifi cantly higher for patients in whom the RADTs were performed compared with those in whom this test was not undertaken (80.1% vs. 70.8% for thrice-daily antibiotic regimens and 88.1% vs. 76.5% for twice-daily regimens; p Ͻ 0.01). The other variables of adherence were also better among patients undergoing RADT in both those who took at least 80% of the pills (71.3% vs. 42.2%; p Ͻ 0.001) as well as those with good timing adherence (52.5% vs. 32.8%; p Ͻ 0.01). Furthermore, correct dosing was always greater when the patient had undergone an RADT. Conclusion. Adherence to antibiotic treatment is higher when an RADT is carried out at the consultation prior to administration of antibiotic treatment.

Antibiotics for acute cough: an international observational study of patient adherence in primary care

“…A lower number of daily antibiotic doses has been associated with greater adherence, 7,9,[22][23][24] and this is consistent with evidence on adherence to non-antibiotic medication. A relationship between number of daily doses and adherence was not found in the current study.…”

Implantación de una prueba rápida de infección estreptocócica: ¿su uso también mejora la adherencia antibiótica?

“…De igual modo que en un estudio sobre la asociación entre la adherencia terapéutica y la prueba diagnóstica rápida de EbhGA , también se obtuvieron mejores resultados en el grupo de intervención y se observó que la adherencia al tratamiento en menores de 15 años es superior que en adultos 18 .…”

“…La mayor parte de estudios sobre adherencia al tratamiento son de patologías crónicas. En un estudio sobre la asociación de la adherencia terapéutica y la PDR en adultos, se observaron mejores resultados en el grupo de pacientes a los que se les realizó la PDR 18 . En estudios sobre la adherencia al tratamiento antibiótico en general en población infantil se observó que el 44,4 al 65,7% de infantes cumplieron correctamente el tratamiento prescrito 19 , 20 .…”

MS Patients Report Excellent Compliance with Oral Prednisone for Acute Relapses

“…Compliance has also been poor in acute illnesses, requiring only a short course of treatment. For children with otitis media, compliance with antibiotics has been found to range from 18-95% and for adults discharged with a short course of medication from emergency departments, compliance ranges from 50-78% 19,20 . Thus, our compliance rate of 94.3% is excellent and is not a deterrent to oral prednisone treatment.…”