[The impact of fusafungine on the prescription of antibiotics in the treatment of rhinopharyngitis]. / Impact de la fusafungine sur la prescription d'antibiotiques dans le traitement de la rhinopharyngite en France.

OBJECTIVE: The analysis in France, during the period 01/12/99 to 30/11/2000, of the prescription of systemic antibiotics in patients with rhinopharyngitis and of the variables statistically related to such prescriptions and the potential role of fusafungine in the form of a rhinopharyngeal spray. METHODS: A retrospective study, based on a panel of 1,010 general practitioners, in a cohort of 30,568 patients presenting with rhinopharyngitis. The fusafungine group consisted of 16,076 patients who had rhinopharyngitis and in whom fusafungine was prescribed. The control group consisted of 14,492 patients with rhinopharyngitis without prescription of fusafungine. The overall rate of antibiotic prescription was documented. A stepwise statistical analysis was conducted to specify the variables statistically associated with the prescription of a systemic antibiotic. The rate of prescription of a systemic antibiotic and the cost of the treatment were also compared within both groups. RESULTS: The overall rate of systemic antibiotic prescription was 52.9%, falling from 60.4% in the group without fusafungine down to 46.2% in the group with fusafungine (p<0.01) whichever the systemic antibiotic prescribed. The stepwise analysis documented various variables that appear to be related to the systemic antibiotic prescription. A saving of 0.7 euros per prescription was noted in the fusafungine group. CONCLUSION: Although various variables appear to influence systemic antibiotic prescription in patients with rhinopharyngitis, our study shows that prescription of fusafungine in spray from led to statistically significant reduction in systemic antibiotic prescription.

An international medico-economic survey of 2007 children with recurrent nasopharyngitis and acute otitis media. Preliminary bindings.

The terminology used to describe upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children can be based on the symptomatic picture, the aetiological agents or anatomical features involved, or classical disease descriptions. However, there is a lack of precision in the epidemiology and nosology of nasopharyngitis and acute otitis media (AOM) in children. Moreover, there are differences between European countries in diagnostic and therapeutic measures. The aim of this broad survey was to record all items potentially relating to URTIs in children and, therefore, to refine the classification of nasopharyngitis and AOM, as well as to clearly define their medical and economic consequences as observed in normal medical practice. Specifically, the objectives can be summarised as follows: to define nasopharyngitis as a clear-cut entity and thus provide a standard for clinical trials; to identify different definitions of AOM and compare them with Paradise's algorithm; to establish a profile of patients at risk of recurrences; to assess therapeutic habits; and to determine the cost of illness. The survey involved 328 European physicians (general practitioners, paediatricians, ear, nose and throat specialists), who recorded spontaneous medical visits of 2007 children presenting with a first episode of nasopharyngitis or AOM during November and December 1996. These children were then followed up until April 1997 so that any recurrent episodes could be recorded. A parent questionnaire focusing on burden of illness for the family was also included. Demographic characteristics at inclusion and the first data on the multifactorial correspondence analysis for nasopharyngitis at inclusion are available and have been presented.