文摘
There is a significant lack of agreement between recommendations based on proven research data and general medical practice in France, as in a number of other industrialised countries. Various recent studies have focussed on the modalities of antibiotic prescription in ambulatory care. The study carried out by Guillemot et al. in France showed a considerable increase in antibiotic intake over the years 1991–1992 compared to the period 1981–1982 (>48 % ). All these studies were in agreement that respiratory infections presumed to be of viral origin (severe rhinopharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, influenza) are a major cause of antibiotic prescription (the national health service records during an influenza outbreak should also be referred to). In these cases, the primary prescription of antibiotics is theoretically not justified. However, the results of all the surveys carried out in France have confirmed that antibiotics were prescribed in 40 % of cases of rhinopharyngitis and in 80 % of cases of bronchitis. This approach is not limited to France, but is also found in a number of other countries.