Antibiotic prescribing for discoloured sputum in acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection

We investigated whether discoloured sputum and feeling unwell were associated with antibiotic prescription and benefit from antibiotic treatment for acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection (LTRI) in a prospective study of 3,402 adults in 13 countries. A two-level model investigated the association between producing discoloured sputum or feeling generally unwell and an antibiotic prescription. A three-level model investigated the association between an antibiotic prescription and symptom resolution. Patients producing discoloured sputum were prescribed antibiotics more frequently than those not producing sputum (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.1-5.0), unlike those producing clear/white sputum (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.61-1.48). Antibiotic prescription was not associated with a greater rate or magnitude of symptom score resolution (as measured by a 13-item questionnaire completed by patients each day) among those who: produced yellow (coefficient 0.00; p=0.68) or green (coefficient -0.01; p=0.11) sputum; reported any of three categories of feeling unwell; or produced discoloured sputum and felt generally unwell (coefficient -0.01; p=0.19). Adults with acute cough/LRTI presenting in primary care settings with discoloured sputum were prescribed antibiotics more often compared to those not producing sputum. Sputum colour, alone or together with feeling generally unwell, was not associated with recovery or benefit from antibiotic treatment.

Acute cough; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic treatment; lower respiratory tract infection; primary care sputum
MEDICINE
MEDICIN

Kelly, M.J.Cardiff University (författare)
Hood, K.Cardiff University (författare)
Schaberg, T.Deaconess Hospital Rotenburg (författare)
Melbye, H.University of Tromso (författare)
Serra-Prat, M.Hospital Mataro (författare)
Blasi, F.University of Milan (författare)
Little, P.University of Southampton (författare)
Verheij, T.University Medical Centre Utrecht (författare)
Mölstad, SigvardLinköpings universitet,Allmänmedicin,Hälsouniversitetet(Swepub:liu)sigmo13 (författare)
Godycki-Cwirko, M.Medical University of Lodz (författare)
Edwards, P.Ely Bridge Surgery (författare)
Almirall, J.Hospital Mataro (författare)
Torres, A.University Barcelona (författare)
Rautakorpi, U-M.Natl Institute Hlth and Welf THL (författare)
Nuttall, J.Cardiff University (författare)
Goossens, H.University of Antwerp (författare)
Coenen, S.University of Antwerp (författare)
Cardiff UniversityDeaconess Hospital Rotenburg (creator_code:org_t)

Ingår i:European Respiratory Journal: European Respiratory Society38:1, s. 119-1250903-19361399-3003

Av författaren/redakt...: Butler, C.C.; Kelly, M.J.; Hood, K.; Schaberg, T.; Melbye, H.; Serra-Prat, M.; visa fler...; Blasi, F.; Little, P.; Verheij, T.; Mölstad, Sigvard; Godycki-Cwirko, ...; Edwards, P.; Almirall, J.; Torres, A.; Rautakorpi, U-M.; Nuttall, J.; Goossens, H.; Coenen, S.; visa färre...

Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.