Acute bronchitis in general practice: what factors predict a poor outcome and can antibiotics help? [ 2004 - 2006 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Nigel Stocks (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Antony Veale ,  Prof Alan Crockett ,  Prof John Turnidge

Brief description In Australia acute bronchitis is one of the commonest reasons for patients to attend their general practitioner. It can have considerable impact on patients lives with patients coughing on average for two weeks, with a third spending some time in bed and a quarter not returning to their usual activities for many weeks. If they attend a general practitioner (GP) it is likely they will receive antibiotics. But researchers believe that antibiotics are over prescribed for this condition and the emergence of bacterial resistance is a real concern to health authorities. GPs are therefore being urged to reduce the prescription of antibioics for this common condition. But surveys by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) indicate that this is one area where GPs find it difficult to meet national recommendations. In part this may be because GPs do not wish to undertreat or miss a serious respiratory illness. Also results from randomised controlled trials examining the effectiveness of antibiotics for acute bronchitis suggest some benefit from treatment, at least in some patients. However it is not clear who these patients are and how much benefit they would get from receiving antibiotics. This creates a great deal of uncertainity for GPs who then opt for a 'just in case prescription' for everyone presenting with acute bronchitis. Our study will re-examine the symptoms, and clinical findings of patients presenting to their GP with acute cough and explore the impact of this common illness on patients lives. We will determine who does and does not benefit from antibiotics, and give guidance to GPs about the symptoms, clinical findings and investigations that predict a poorer outcome. Evidence from this study will be incorporated into treatment guidelines for acute bronchitis leading to more rational and effective management of this common problem.

Funding Amount $AUD 393,750.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant