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Impact analysis of expanding narrow-spectrum antibiotic use for children with ear, sinus and throat infections
Barbosa, C., Breck, A., King, G., Bass, S., Kook, Y., Honeycutt, A., & Esposito, D. (2022). Impact analysis of expanding narrow-spectrum antibiotic use for children with ear, sinus and throat infections. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 11(2), 89-98. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2021-0064
Aim: Estimate the impacts treating acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children aged 6 months through 12 years with narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Materials & methods: Decision-tree model to estimate children's health, healthcare utilization and costs, and caregiver's time and costs for using narrow-spectrum antibiotics in eligible children with an ARTI, compared with current use of narrow- and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Results: Reduced adverse drug reactions by 35,750 (14%) cases) and 4750 (12%) fewer emergency department visits, 300 (12%) fewer hospitalizations, and 50,500 (10%) avoided outpatient visits. Annual healthcare costs fell by US$120 million (22%). Total societal costs declined by US$131 million (20%). Conclusion: National implementation of narrow-spectrum antibiotics to treat ARTIs in children improves patient outcomes and reduces caregiver burden and annual healthcare costs.