Impact of Different Methods for Describing the Extent of Prior Antibiotic Exposure on the Association Between Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic-Resistant Infection

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 647-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily P. Hyle ◽  
Warren B. Bilker ◽  
Leanne B. Gasink ◽  
Ebbing Lautenbach
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Categorical Variable ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Multivariable Models ◽  
The Impact

Objective.Many studies have investigated the association between prior antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. However, methods used in past studies to describe the extent of prior antibiotic use (eg, use of the 2 categories exposure versus no exposure and measurement of duration of exposure) have not been reviewed. The impact of the use of different methods for quantifying the use of antibiotics is unknown. The objectives of this study were to characterize past approaches to describing the extent of antibiotic use and to identify the impact of the use of different methods on associations between use of specific antibiotics and infection with an antibiotic-resistant-organism.Methods.We conducted a systematic review of studies that investigated risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species to identify variability in past approaches to describing the extent of antibiotic use. We then reanalyzed a data set from a prior study of risk factors for infection with ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella species. We developed 2 separate multivariable models: 1 in which prior antibiotic use was described as a categorical variable (eg, exposure or no exposure) and 1 in which antibiotic use was described as a continuous variable (eg, measured in antibiotic-days). These models were compared qualitatively.Setting.Large academic medical center.Results.The 25 articles included in the systematic review revealed a variety of methods used to describe the extent of prior antibiotic exposure. Only 1 study justified its approach. Results from the 2 multivariable models that used different methodologic approaches differed substantially. Specifically, use of third-generation cephalosporins was a risk factor for infection with ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella species when antibiotic use was described as a continuous variable but not when antibiotic use was described as a categorical variable.Conclusions.There has been no consistent method for assessing the extent of prior antibiotic exposure. The use of different methods may substantially alter the identified antimicrobial risk factors, which has important implications for the resultant interventions regarding antimicrobial use.

The impact of antibiotic allergy labels on antibiotic exposure, clinical outcomes, and healthcare costs: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Nathan M. Krah ◽  
Trahern W. Jones ◽  
Joanita Lake ◽  
Adam L. Hersh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Costs ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Antibiotic Allergy ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: A growing body of evidence suggests that antibiotic allergy labels as documented in medical records are a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes. In this systematic review, we aimed to determine how antibiotic allergy labels influence 3 domains: antibiotic use and exposure, clinical outcomes, and healthcare-related costs. Design: We performed a systematic review to identify studies reporting outcomes in patients with antibiotic allergy labels compared to nonallergic counterparts. The search included PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, EBSCO, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion and abstracted data. Studies were graded using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Study outcomes included antibiotic use, clinical outcomes, and economic outcomes. Results: In total, 41 studies met our criteria for inclusion. These studies varied in medical specialty, patient population, healthcare delivery system, and design, but most were conducted among adults age >18 years (85%) in the inpatient setting (82.5%). Among 34 studies examining antibiotic exposure, 32 (94%) found that patients with antibiotic allergy labels received more broad-spectrum antibiotics. Moreover, 31 studies examined clinical outcomes such as length of hospitalization, ICU admission, hospital readmission, multidrug-resistant or opportunistic infection, or mortality, and 27 (87%) found that allergy-labeled patients had at least 1 negative outcome. Of 9 studies examining healthcare costs, 7 (78%) found that allergy-labeled patients incurred significantly higher drug or hospital-related costs. Conclusions: Antibiotic allergy labels have negative effects on antibiotic use, clinical outcomes, and economic outcomes in a variety of clinical settings and populations.

Prior antibiotic use and acquisition of multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitalized children: A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1107-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan T. Murray ◽  
Melissa P. Beauchemin ◽  
Natalie Neu ◽  
Elaine L. Larson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Hospitalized Children ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) cause ~5%–10% of infections in hospitalized children, leading to an increased risk of death, prolonged hospitalization, and additional costs. Antibiotic exposure is considered a driving factor of MDRO acquisition; however, consensus regarding the impact of antibiotic factors, especially in children, is lacking. We conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between antibiotic use and subsequent healthcare-associated infection or colonization with an MDRO in children.Design:Systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline.Methods:We searched PubMed and Embase for all English, peer-reviewed original research studies published before September 2018. Included studies evaluated hospitalized children, antibiotic use as an exposure, and bacterial MDRO as an outcome.Results:Of the 535 studies initially identified, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, a positive association was identified in most studies evaluating a specific antibiotic exposure (17 of 21, 81%), duration of antibiotics (9 of 12, 75%), and number of antibiotics received (2 of 3, 67%). Those studies that evaluated any antibiotic exposure had mixed results (5 of 10, 50%). Study sites, populations, and definitions of antibiotic use and MDROs varied widely.Conclusions:Published studies evaluating this relationship are limited and are of mixed quality. Limitations include observation bias in recall of antibiotic exposure, variations in case definitions, and lack of evaluation of antibiotic dosing and appropriateness. Additional studies exploring the impact of antibiotic use and MDRO acquisition may be needed to develop effective antibiotic stewardship programs for hospitalized children.

scholarly journals 70. Impact of Fluoroquinolone Susceptibility Suppression on Discharge Prescribing for Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S53-S54
Author(s):  
Dillon Hayden ◽  
Bryan White ◽  
Stephen Neely ◽  
Kiya Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis ◽  
Uncomplicated Cystitis ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Fluoroquinolones (FQ) are associated with multiple adverse effects and increasing resistance. Acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) treatment remains a frequent reason for FQ use. Previous data suggests that suppression of FQ susceptibility results can decrease inpatient use, but may not reduce prescribing at discharge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of FQ susceptibility suppression on discharge prescribing for AUC. Methods This was a retrospective, quasi-experimental study in adult patients at a 350-bed academic medical center. The effect of suppression of FQ susceptibilities on pan-susceptible urine isolates for Klebsiella sp. and E. coli on FQ prescribing and appropriateness at discharge was compared one year before and after the intervention, starting in March 2018. Risk factors for FQ use were also examined. Exclusion criteria included pyelonephritis, urinary hardware, pregnancy, concomitant infections treated with FQ, and organisms not susceptible to FQ. Risk ratios of FQ use were calculated for pre-/post-groups and stratified by discharging team for adjusted rates (aRR) using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel approach. For secondary outcomes, Chi-Square statistics and generalized regression models were used to assess odds of FQ use among variables. Results Overall discharge FQ prescribing decreased from 41.1% to 21.1% after the intervention, corresponding to a 53% lower adjusted risk (aRR 0.47 [95% CI 0.28–0.81]). One-hundred percent of FQ use was inappropriate, largely due to organism susceptibility to a guideline-preferred agent (n = 33/38). After adjusting for the intervention and clustering of discharge team, the odds of outpatient FQ use was 3.46 times higher for uninsured vs. insured patients, and 13.4 times higher among those who received FQ while inpatient. FQ Use at Discharge Other Antibiotic Use Risk Factors for FQ Use at Discharge Conclusion Suppression of FQ susceptibilities on pan-susceptible urine isolates for Klebsiella sp. and E. coli was associated with a decrease in FQ prescribing at discharge for AUC. Patients who received FQ while inpatient were 13.4 times more likely to be continued on FQ at discharge. Overall, prescribing of FQ for AUC was inappropriate, and stewardship programs should implement FQ suppression policies to improve FQ prescribing at discharge. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Stress, anxiety, depression and burnout in frontline health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a brief systematic review and new data from Russia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Mosolova ◽  
Dmitry Sosin ◽  
Sergey Mosolov
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been subject to increased workload while also exposed to many psychosocial stressors. In a systematic review we analyze the impact that the pandemic has had on HCWs mental state and associated risk factors. Most studies reported high levels of depression and anxiety among HCWs worldwide, however, due to a wide range of assessment tools, cut-off scores, and number of frontline participants in the studies, results were difficult to compare. Our study is based on two online surveys of 2195 HCWs from different regions of Russia during spring and autumn epidemic outbreaks revealed the rates of anxiety, stress, depression, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and perceived stress as 32.3%, 31.1%, 45.5%, 74.2%, 37.7% ,67.8%, respectively. Moreover, 2.4% of HCWs reported suicidal thoughts. The most common risk factors include: female gender, nurse as an occupation, younger age, working for over 6 months, chronic diseases, smoking, high working demands, lack of personal protective equipment, low salary, lack of social support, isolation from families, the fear of relatives getting infected. These results demonstrate the need for urgent supportive programs for HCWs fighting COVID-19 that fall into higher risk factors groups.

671 Update of a systematic review and meta-analysis studying the association between antibiotic use and clinical outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A708-A708
Author(s):  
Pierre-Alain Bandinelli ◽  
Julie Cervesi ◽  
Clément Le Bescop ◽  
Renaud Buffet ◽  
Jean De Gunzburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Hazard Ratios

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown to improve patients‘ clinical outcomes in a variety of cancers, but with variable efficacy. Prior research has also suggested that systemic antibiotic (ABX) exposure may impact the intestinal microbiota and result in suboptimal ICI treatment outcomes. Our team published a systematic review and meta-analysis showing that ABX use could indeed decrease the survival of patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and treated with ICIs.1 The present abstract aims at updating this meta-analysis by incorporating new studies that have been published in the period ranging from September 2019 to August 2020.MethodsMedline (through PubMed), the Cochrane Library and major oncology conferences proceedings were systematically searched to identify studies assessing the impact of ABX use on the clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. Studies were found eligible for inclusion when they mentioned a hazard ratio (HR) or Kaplan–Meier curves for overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) based on antibiotic exposure. Pooled HRs for OS and PFS and HRs for OS and PFS according to different time windows for ABX exposure were calculated.Results6 eligible new studies were identified between September 2019 and August 2020 while 3 other studies were updated with new information. Altogether, 27 studies reported data for OS (6,436 patients, 826 of whom coming from new studies) and 24 for PFS (3,751 patients, 786 of whom coming from new studies). The pooled HR was 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–2.23) for OS and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.28–1.92) for PFS, confirming a significantly reduced survival in patients with NSCLC exposed to ABX. The detailed analysis in subgroups based on the time window of exposure (figure 1, figure 2) suggests that the deleterious effect of ABX is stronger when the exposition happens shortly before and after the initiation of the ICI treatment.Abstract 671 Figure 1Forest plot of hazard ratios for overall survival of patients diagnosed with NSCLC and exposed to antibiotics versus not exposed to antibiotics, according to the time window of antibiotic exposureAbstract 671 Figure 2Forest plot of hazard ratios for progression-free survival of patients diagnosed with NSCLC and exposed to antibiotics versus not exposed to antibiotics, according to the time window of antibiotic exposureConclusionsThe update of the meta-analysis confirms the previously reported deleterious effect of ABX on ICI treatment outcomes, taking into account the latest publications in the field. The topic deserves further research to uncover if the effect will stand with 1st line use of ICI together with chemotherapies and/or other approved combinations, elucidate the mechanisms at stake and improve care of patients.ReferencesLurienne L, Cervesi J, Duhalde L, de Gunzburg J, Andremont A, Zalcman G, et al. NSCLC immunotherapy efficacy and antibiotic use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Thorac Oncol 2020;15:1147–1159.

237 Stable Performance with Reduced Antibiotic Use in Piglets Vaccinated with an E. coli F4/F18 Vaccine for the Prevention of F18-ETEC Post-weaning Diarrhea

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 139-140
Author(s):  
Frédéric A Vangroenweghe
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Watery Diarrhea ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Standard Group ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Oral Vaccination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Stable Performance ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Post-weaning Escherichia coli diarrhea (PWD) remains a major cause of economic losses for the pig industry. PWD, caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), typically provokes mild to severe watery diarrhea between 5–10 days after weaning. Recently, an oral live bivalent E. coli F4/F18 vaccine (Coliprotec® F4/F18; Elanco) was approved on the European market, which reduces the impact of PWD provoked by F4-ETEC and F18-ETEC. The objective was to compare technical results and antibiotic use following E. coli F4/F18 vaccination with previous standard therapeutic approach under field conditions. A 1600-sow farm (weaning at 26 days) with diagnosed problems of PWD due to F18-ETEC was selected. Piglets were vaccinated at 21 days with the oral live bivalent E. coli F4/F18 vaccine. At weaning, no standard group medication (ZnO and antibiotics) was applied for prevention of PWD. Several performance parameters were collected: treatment incidence (TI100), mortality and days in nursery. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 14.0 – comparison of means. Oral E. coli F4/F18 vaccination significantly reduced TI100 (7 ± 2 days to 0 ± 1 days; P < 0.05). Mortality rate remained stable (2.05% in Control to 1.96% in Vaccinated group; P < 0.05). Days in nursery (40 ± 3 days) remained at the same level compared to pre-vaccination. The results show that live E. coli F4/F18 vaccination against PWD has led to similar technical performance parameters and mortality, in combination with a significant reduction in medication use. In conclusion, control of PWD through oral vaccination is a successful option in order to prevent piglets from the negative clinical outcomes of F18-ETEC infection during the post-weaning period.

scholarly journals Impact of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Production on Treatment Outcomes of Acute Pyelonephritis Caused by Escherichia coli in Patients without Health Care-Associated Risk Factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 1962-1968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Hee Park ◽  
Su-Mi Choi ◽  
Dong-Gun Lee ◽  
Sung-Yeon Cho ◽  
Hyo-Jin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Acute Pyelonephritis ◽  
Esbl Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTExtended-spectrum β-lactamase-producingEscherichia coli(ESBL-EC) is increasingly identified as a cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) among patients without recent health care contact, i.e., community-associated APN. This case-control study compared 75 cases of community-associated ESBL-EC APN (CA-ESBL) to 225 controls of community-associated non-ESBL-EC APN (CA-non-ESBL) to identify the risk factors for ESBL-EC acquisition and investigate the impact of ESBL on the treatment outcomes of community-associated APN (CA-APN) caused byE. coliat a Korean hospital during 2007 to 2013. The baseline characteristics were similar between the cases and controls; the risk factors for ESBL-EC were age (>55 years), antibiotic use within the previous year, and diabetes with recurrent APN. The severity of illness did not differ between CA-ESBL and CA-non-ESBL (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II scores [mean ± standard deviation], 7.7 ± 5.9 versus 6.4 ± 5.3;P= 0.071). The proportions of clinical (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 5.38;P= 0.323) and microbiological (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.51 to 2.65;P= 0.730) cures were similar, although the CA-ESBL APN patients were less likely to receive appropriate antibiotics within 48 h. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis of the prognostic factors for CA-APN caused byE. colishowed that ESBL production was not a significant factor for clinical (hazard ratio [HR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.30;P= 0.126) or microbiological (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.21 to 1.12;P= 0.091) failure. The estimates did not change after incorporating weights calculated using propensity scores for acquiring ESBL-EC. Therefore, ESBL production did not negatively affect treatment outcomes among patients with community-associatedE. coliAPN.

Prostate cancer risk calculators for healthy population: A systematic review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Bandala-Jacques ◽  
Kevin Daniel Castellanos Esquivel ◽  
Fernanda Pérez-Hurtado ◽  
Cristobal Hernández-Silva ◽  
Nancy Reynoso-Noverón
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Digital Rectal Examination ◽  
Prostate Cancer Risk ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Risk Of Cancer ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Screening for prostate cancer has long been a debated, complex topic. The use of risk calculators for prostate cancer is recommended for determining patients’ individual risk of cancer and the subsequent need for a prostate biopsy. These tools could lead to a better discrimination of patients in need of invasive diagnostic procedures and for optimized allocation of healthcare resources OBJECTIVE To systematically review available literature on current prostate cancer risk calculators’ performance in healthy population, by comparing the impact factor of individual items on different cohorts, and the models’ overall performance. METHODS We performed a systematic review of available prostate cancer risk calculators targeted at healthy population. We included studies published from January 2000 to March 2021 in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese or German. Two reviewers independently decided for or against inclusion based on abstracts. A third reviewer intervened in case of disagreements. From the selected titles, we extracted information regarding the purpose of the manuscript, the analyzed calculators, the population for which it was calibrated, the included risk factors, and the model’s overall accuracy. RESULTS We included a total of 18 calculators across 53 different manuscripts. The most commonly analyzed ones were they PCPT and ERSPC risk calculators, developed from North American and European cohorts, respectively. Both calculators provided high precision for the diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer (AUC as high as 0.798 for PCPT and 0.91 for ERSPC). We found 9 calculators developed from scratch for specific populations, which reached diagnostic precisions as high as 0.938. The most commonly included risk factors in the calculators were age, PSA levels and digital rectal examination findings. Additional calculators included race and detailed personal and family history CONCLUSIONS Both the PCPR and the ERSPC risk calculators have been successfully adapted for cohorts other than the ones they were originally created for with no loss of diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, designing calculators from scratch considering each population’s sociocultural differences has resulted in risk tools that can be well adapted to be valid in more patients. The best risk calculator for prostate cancer will be that which was has been calibrated for its intended population and can be easily reproduced and implemented CLINICALTRIAL CRD42021242110

EXPRESS: Impact of renal impairment on short-term outcomes following endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110473
Author(s):  
Jin Pyeong Jeon ◽  
Chih-Hao Chen ◽  
Fon-Yih Tsuang ◽  
Jianming Liu ◽  
Michael D Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Renal Impairment ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽  
Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
The Impact

Background. The impact of renal impairment (RI) on the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) was relatively limited and contradictory. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate this. Aims. We registered a protocol on September 2020 and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar accordingly. RI was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Predefined outcomes included functional independence (defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 0, 1, or 2) at 3 months, successful reperfusion, mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Summary of review. Eleven studies involving 3453 patients were included. For the unadjusted outcomes, RI was associated with fewer functional independence (odds ratio (OR), 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39–0.62) and higher mortality (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.03–3.21). RI was not associated with successful reperfusion (OR, 0.80; 95% CI 0.63–1.00) and sICH (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.95–2.10). For the adjusted outcomes, results derived from a multivariate meta-analysis were consistent with the respective unadjusted outcomes: functional independence (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45–0.77), mortality (OR, 2.23, 95% CI, 1.45–3.43), and sICH (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.85–2.10). Conclusions. We presented the first systematic review to demonstrate that RI is associated with fewer functional independence and higher mortality. Future EVT studies should publish complete renal eGFR data to facilitate prognostic studies and permit eGFR to be analyzed in a continuous variable. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020191309

scholarly journals Impact of national interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Mingjie Lim ◽  
Shweta Rajkumar Singh ◽  
Minh Cam Duong ◽  
Helena Legido-Quigley ◽  
Li Yang Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Global recognition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as an urgent public health problem has galvanized national and international efforts. Chief among these are interventions to curb the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. However, the impact of these initiatives is not fully understood, making it difficult to assess the expected effectiveness and sustainability of further policy interventions. We conducted a systematic review to summarize existing evidence for the impact of nationally enforced interventions to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use in humans. Methods We searched seven databases and examined reference lists of retrieved articles. To be included, articles had to evaluate the impact of national responsible use initiatives. We excluded studies that only described policy implementations. Results We identified 34 articles detailing interventions in 21 high- and upper-middle-income countries. Interventions addressing inappropriate antibiotic access included antibiotic committees, clinical guidelines and prescribing restrictions. There was consistent evidence that these were effective at reducing antibiotic consumption and prescription. Interventions targeting inappropriate antibiotic demand consisted of education campaigns for healthcare professionals and the general public. Evidence for this was mixed, with several studies showing no impact on overall antibiotic consumption. Conclusions National-level interventions to reduce inappropriate access to antibiotics can be effective. However, evidence is limited to high- and upper-middle-income countries, and more evidence is needed on the long-term sustained impact of interventions. There should also be a simultaneous push towards standardized outcome measures to enable comparisons of interventions in different settings.

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