To examine antibiotic prescribing patterns and their association with demographic characteristics and health insurance factors among acute pharyngitis visits in Saudi Arabian governmental primary healthcare centers, highlighting the significance in combating antibiotic resistance.
Key Findings:
Antibiotics were prescribed in 84.7% of visits, indicating a concerning trend in antibiotic use.
Amoxicillin (62%) and azithromycin (37%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Younger age, particularly children aged 0–7 years, was significantly associated with higher odds of receiving antibiotics.
Patients covered by governmental insurance were 28.6% more likely to receive antibiotics than those under private insurance, raising concerns about prescribing practices.
Interpretation:
The high prevalence of antibiotic use for acute pharyngitis suggests that prescribing practices are influenced by patient age and insurance scheme, underscoring the need for improved antibiotic stewardship.
Limitations:
Conclusion:
The study highlights the urgent need for strengthened antibiotic stewardship and improved adherence to clinical guidelines to combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Severe social jet lag among surgeons was associated with higher rates of major adverse events, independent of sleep duration, workload, and patient risk.
Teriparatide followed by zoledronic acid increased bone mineral density but did not reduce fracture risk compared with standard care in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta.
