[Infectious diseases in primary care]. / Patología infecciosa en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To find the frequency and seasonal variability of the infectious diseases detected over a year. DESIGN: Observational prospective study. SETTING: Primary care centre. PATIENTS: Simple multi-stage random sampling of the patients over 14 seen on demand at general medical clinics and the Casualty department between June 1991 and May 1992. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Out of 49,193 attendances during the study period, the attendance sample was 2,523, of which 474 (18.8%; CI: 17.3-20.3%) were for infectious conditions. Average age of these 474 was 39 (SD: 19.17); 55% were women. Frequency of respiratory infections was 64.1% (CI: 59.8-68.5%). The correlation coefficient between respiratory infections and the total number of infections was 0.94 (R2 = 0.89). The frequency of infections oscillated between 29% (CI: 23-35%) in February and 10% (CI: 5.8-14.5%) in May. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious conditions account for a considerable percentage of the total number of primary care attendances. There is a seasonal variation in infections, which is mainly due to respiratory infections.

[Are antibiotics correctly prescribed in primary care?]. / Se prescriben correctamente los antibióticos en atención primaria?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the antibiotic prescriptions and evaluate their suitability for the infectious conditions treated at a Primary Care Centre. DESIGN: A prospective observation study. SETTING: La Mina Primary Care Centre. Sant Adrià de Besòs (Barcelona). PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: The on-demand visits of patients over 14 to the General Medicine and Emergency clinics between June 1991 and May 1992 provided the data through a simple multi-stage random sample. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On the basis of the clinical notes, these variables were recorded: age, gender, diagnosis, the antibiotic prescribed and its manner of administration. The indication and choice of treatment was assessed in line with previously established criteria, as well as whether the antibiotic was first-choice in Primary Care. Infections treated in hospital or by specialists, non-bacterial cutaneous infections and Conjunctivitis were excluded. Out of 2,523 people examined, 474 presented infectious conditions (18.8%); the most common of these were infections of the upper respiratory tract (46.4%) and acute Bronchitis (17.3%). An antibiotic was prescribed in 206 cases (43.3%). The most used antibiotics were: Amoxicillin (41.5%), Penicillin (19.0%), Cloxacillin (11.2%), Erythromycin (10.2%) and Pipemidic Acid (7.8%). They were orally taken in 89.4% of cases. 92.3% of the antibiotics were first-choice. Overall fitness of treatment was 86.3% (56.5% unnecessary and non-prescribed treatment; and 29.7% necessary and using the recommended antibiotic). The least suitable treatment was observed for cases of acute Bronchitis without any risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prescriptions are adjusted to the recommendations on antibiotic policy in Primary Care, although less suitable treatment was observed for acute Bronchitis. The importance of applying a methodology based on objective criteria, in order to make a qualitative analysis in studies on the use of medication, is highlighted.