{Reference Type}: Clinical Trial
{Title}: [Introduction of rapid streptococcal antigen test: can its use improve adherence to antibiotic therapy?]
{Author}: Bonet-Esteve AM;Font-Ribera L;Dorca-Vila J;Retamal-Cañiz A;Roura-Poch P;Vidal-Alaball J;
{Journal}: Aten Primaria
{Volume}: 53
{Issue}: 10
{Year}: 12 2021
{Factor}: 2.206
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.aprim.2021.102102
{Abstract}: To evaluate the influence of the result of a rapid streptococcal antigen test in paediatric pharyngotonsillitis infections, in terms of improvement of antibiotic therapy adherence.<BR>Randomized community clinical trial with two study groups.<BR>Primary Care Centers in Central Catalonia.<BR>Patients aged from 3 to 15 years, who were attended at paediatric consultations on suspicion of pharyngotonsillitis caused by an infection between November 2010 and February 2011 (both included), were included in the study on a consecutive basis. 557 patients met the inclusion criteria and 519 were evaluated.<BR>The control group received the usual diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm. Rapid streptococcal antigen test was additionally performed to experimental group participants and it was indicated the more convenient treatment.<BR>Antibiotic adherence, non-adherence causes and socio-demographic risk factors were evaluated via telephone survey.<BR>Antibiotics were prescribed to 65.6% and paediatricians of the control group were more likely to prescribe antibiotic than the ones in the intervention group (88.5% vs 45.5%, p< 0.0001). 64.8% followed doctor's treatment orders, being failure following medication scheduling the main cause of non-adherence (25.6%). Medication adherence was higher in the experimental group (68%) than in the control group (62.9%) but no significant differences were found.<BR>Rapid strep test, complementing the use of Centor Criteria avoids unnecessary antibiotics prescriptions, but had not been proven to be effective in increasing medication adherence.