In a large study, published in the BMJ, researchers reviewed more than 21 years of antibiotic prescriptions.
It is the largest study ever carried out on the subject. It covers a 21-year period (1991 to 2012), during which the authors examined the failure rates of antibiotics prescribed by UK GPs for common infections. Over 60 million prescriptions have been reviewed.
And the finding is clear. In 15% of cases, antibiotic treatments fail. Antibiotic resistance, self-medication, bad prescription… There are many reasons for this failure, but the authors do not list them. In this wide-ranging analysis, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), they focus on that number.
Researchers speak of failure when a new, different antibiotic is prescribed within 30 days of the first prescription, due to a resumption of infection. Four types of common infections are studied here:
– upper respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, sore throat, etc.)
– lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, etc.)
– ear infections (otitis)
– skin and soft tissue infections (impetigo, etc.).
The rate of visits to a general practitioner has decreased over the years for these infections, but the number of consultations with prescription of antibiotics has increased slightly (from 63.9% of consultations in 1991 to 65.6% in 2012). The most commonly prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin (42% of prescriptions, with a failure rate of 12.2%).
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