An epidemiological survey to assess the clinical use of cephalosporins in community-acquired respiratory tract infections.
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Date
2015-05
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Abstract
Background: In outpatient management of respiratory tract infections, the clinicians’
preferences always have a broad spectrum of antibiotics as an empirical therapy.
Clinical use of cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones has been recommended by
various international guidelines as a monotherapy or as combination therapy to
manage these. This survey was conducted to assess the in-clinic use and preference
of cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones as monotherapy or as combination therapy in
managing respiratory tract infections by Indian doctors.
Methods: A survey questionnaire was drafted to capture the feedback from crossspecialty
regarding the preference of using antibiotics in respiratory tract infection
in real time clinical settings.
Results: Data from 163 physicians were collected and evaluated across India.
79 (48%) clinicians reported pharyngitis/tonsillitis to be the most commonly
encountered respiratory tract infection followed by community-acquired pneumonia
(CAP) 62 (38%). 100 (61%) clinicians preferred use of cefpodoxime monotherapy
as a primary line of treatment for the management of respiratory pharyngitis/
tonsillitis. Use of short course therapy (≤1 week) of cefpodoxime and levofloxacin as
combination therapy is preferred by 94 (58%) clinicians, in cases of acute exacerbation
of chronic bronchitis (AECB) 85 (52%), and CAP 83 (51%). The clinical preference
of levofloxacin was observed with only 16 (10%) clinicians, in lower respiratory
tract infections, i.e. AECB and CAP.
Conclusion: In-clinic use of cefpodoxime as monotherapy is preferred in upper
respiratory tract infections. However, clinicians recommend a combination therapy
of cefpodoxime and levofloxacin in lower respiratory tract infections.
Description
Keywords
Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones, Respiratory tract infections
Citation
Sobti Vikram, Krishnaprasad K, Bhargava Amit. An epidemiological survey to assess the clinical use of cephalosporins in community-acquired respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 2015 May-Jun; 4(3): 547-550.