From 2000–2005, the decline in antibiotic dispensing rates for children in Massachusetts was largely attributable to lower rates of otitis media diagnoses, but the decline has stalled.
Researchers obtained antibiotic dispensing and diagnosis data for children from two health insurers in 16 Massachusetts communities from 2000 to 2009 and analyzed the data according to three age groups: 3 to 24 months, 24 to 48 months, and 48 to 72 months.
Annual population-based antibiotic dispensing rates (number of antibiotic dispensings divided by number of person-years) declined in all three age groups. The decline was greatest (24%) in the 3- to 24-month-old group (from 2.3 to 1.8 antibiotic dispensings per person-year). The downward trend leveled off after 2005 in the two youngest groups and after 2001 in the older group, with no further significant change through 2009. The decline was primarily attributable to a lower rate of otitis …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)