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Infection
Published in: Infection 4/2011

01-08-2011 | Clinical and Epidemiological Study

Differences in outpatient antibiotic prescription in Italy’s Lombardy region

Authors: C. Franchi, M. Sequi, M. Bonati, A. Nobili, L. Pasina, A. Bortolotti, I. Fortino, L. Merlino, A. Clavenna

Published in: Infection | Issue 4/2011

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Abstract

Objectives

We assessed the antibiotic patterns of use and geographical distribution of prevalence and consumption by age in 15 Local Health Units (LHUs) of Italy’s Lombardy region.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of reimbursement data for the community-dwelling population in 2005 was performed. Prescriptions reimbursed by the National Health System and consumption as defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID) were analyzed. A logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between antibiotic drug prescription and age, gender, and LHU of residence of the population.

Results

During 2005, a total of 3,120,851 people (34% of the population) received at least one antibiotic drug prescription. The highest prescription prevalence was observed in the 0–17 and 80 or more years age ranges (41.6 and 41.9%, respectively). Large differences were found in the prevalence rates between different LHUs (ranging from 28.7% in Milan to 39.4% in Brescia) and in DID (ranging from 12.6 DID in Sondrio to 18.9 DID in Brescia). The age and residence of the population were the main determinants of drug exposure. In particular, patients aged <18 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73, 1.74), aged 65 years or older (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.63, 1.65), and those that live in Brescia (OR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.65, 1.66) had a statistically significant higher risk of antibiotic drug exposure.

Conclusions

The observed intra-regional differences underline the need for a careful monitoring with the aim to reduce antibiotic resistance and improve the rational use of drugs.
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Metadata
Title
Differences in outpatient antibiotic prescription in Italy’s Lombardy region
Authors
C. Franchi
M. Sequi
M. Bonati
A. Nobili
L. Pasina
A. Bortolotti
I. Fortino
L. Merlino
A. Clavenna
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Infection / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 0300-8126
Electronic ISSN: 1439-0973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-011-0129-1

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