• Veimer JensenMaria LouiseML0000-0003-0355-6234Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Healt, AabenhusRune MunckRM0000-0001-9354-2236The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark., Barbara Juliane Holzknecht, Lars Bjerrum, Jette Nygaard Jensen, Volkert Siersma, and Gloria Córdoba.
• Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Scand J Prim Health Care. 2021 Dec 1; 39 (4): 498505498-505.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe prescription of antibiotics to the elderly population in general practice in Denmark from 2010-2017.DesignThis is a national register-based observational study.SettingGeneral practice, Denmark.Main Outcome MeasureThe main outcome measure was prescriptions/1,000 inhabitants/day (PrID) in relation to year, age and sex, indication, and antibiotic agent.SubjectsIn this study, we included inhabitants of Denmark, ≥65 years of age between 01st July 2010-30th June 2017.ResultsA total of 5,168,878 prescriptions were included in the study. Antibiotic prescriptions decreased from 2.2 PrID to 1.7 (-26.9%, CI95% [-31.1;-22.4]) PrID during the study. The decrease in PrID was most noticeable among 65-74-year-olds (-25%). The ≥85-year-olds were exposed to twice as many PrID than the 65-74-year-olds, but only accounted for 20% of the total use. Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most common indication for antibiotic prescription and increased with advancing age. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were pivmecillinam and phenoxymethylpenicillin. Prescribing with no informative indication was present in one third of all cases.ConclusionThe prescription of antibiotics in the elderly population in general practice decreased from 2010 to 2017. The oldest age group was exposed twice as frequently to antibiotic prescriptions as the 65-74-year-olds. The smallest reduction was observed for the ≥85-year-olds, suggesting targeting interventions at this group.Key PointsHigh antibiotic use among elderly is well known and studies indicate mis- and overuse within this population. Our study shows.The prescription rate is decreasing within all age groups of the elderly population.The ≥85-year-olds receive twice as many prescriptions/1000/day as the 65-74-years-olds.

15 keywords...

hide…