Original Research
Background and Goal: This study explored how chest X-ray results influence antibiotic initiation by general practitioners in France when managing patients with suspected pneumonia.
Study Approach: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with adult patients with suspected pneumonia who received chest X-rays as part of their evaluation. To analyze factors associated with antibiotic initiation, patients’ characteristics were compared at inclusion and at 28 days between patients with positive chest X-rays (indicating pneumonia) and patients with negative chest X-ray results.
Main Results: The sample included 259 adult patients. The median age was 58 years, 120 (46.3%) were male, 249 (96.1%) had not received antibiotics prior to inclusion, and 69 (26.7%) had at least one risk factor for pneumococcal disease.
Why It Matters: The findings of this study show that many general practitioners prescribe antibiotics for suspected community-acquired pneumonia even when chest X-ray results are negative, highlighting a gap between guidelines and actual practice.
Relationship Between Chest Radiography Results and Antibiotic Initiation in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management by General Practitioners
Juliette Pinot, MD, et al
Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
Université Paris Cité, Department of General Practice, Paris, France
Visual Abstract:
The Annals of Family Medicine
25-Nov-2024