High exposure to antibiotics in the population and differences by sex and age

• Published in: Atención primaria 2011-05, Vol.43 (5), p.236-244
• Main Authors: Serna, M Catalina, Ribes, Esther, Real, Jordi, Galván, Leonardo, Gascó, Eduardo, Godoy, Pere
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data; Drug Utilization - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1578-1275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2010.04.015

To determine antibiotic use and its distribution by age and gender, as well as the most prescribed therapeutic group. Observational descriptive with retrospective data. Population from the Lleida (Spain) Health Region receiving antibiotic prescriptions from 2002 to 2007. Daily Dose Per Inhabitant (DID) was calculated, as well as the number of patients under treatment. The study variables were: age, gender, number of patients under antibiotic treatment and pharmacological group. Mean prevalence of patients receiving antibiotics was 36.93% (33.51% in men and 40.42% in women). The DID in Lleida during 2007 is 23.52. The majority (56%) had received antibiotics once a year. The antibiotic consumption prevalence has a "V" shape with higher values among children and old people. There is an annual exposure to antibiotics in 58.8% of the 0 to 4 years-old age group. The most prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanic. We observe a high antibiotic prescription rate among children and older people, the high consumption in childhood being of note. There is also a higher use of antibiotics among women and changing of prescription towards broad spectrum antibiotics.