A study examining the reasons behind over-use of antibiotics

Overuse of antibiotics occurs because of the widely mistaken belief that they are beneficial for a wide range of conditions and because many physicians are willing to prescribe antibiotics if patients request the medication, according to the Rutgers study.

The study, published in the journal BioEssays, reviewed more than 200 peer-reviewed studies to examine the reasons behind over-use of antibiotics, which can be harmful bacteria. against drugs and cause harmful effects on the microbiome, the accumulation of beneficial bacteria that live inside and on our bodies.

Martin Blaser, director of Rutgers ’Center for Biotechnology and Advanced Medicine and lead author, said global use of antibiotics between 2000 and 2015 was 39 percent, with a 77 percent increase in low-income countries and intermediate. He describes the findings of the survey.

What health concerns arise from microbial disruption with antibiotics?

In children, inappropriate antibiotic use can alter the mosquito as their immune, metabolic and neural systems develop. Epidemiological studies link antibiotic exposure with an increased risk for infection of allergic, metabolic and brain disorders that have become more common in children during the course of the antibiotic.

In adults, there is growing evidence that antibiotics may increase the risk for metabolic and neoplastic diseases, including diabetes, kidney stones and growths in the colon and rectum that can cause cancer .

What trends have you found in antibiotic use?

Studies in the United States, the United Kingdom and China found several online pharmacies selling drug-free antibiotics. This problem is also acute in Iow- to middle-income countries, where 60 percent of antibiotics are sold without prescriptions, often by untrained medical doctors.

Of particular concern during the COVID-19 pandemic is the discovery that telemedicine services are another potential source of questionable antibiotic sales in the United States. A recent study found that patients with upper respiratory diseases typically received broad-spectrum antibiotics if they visited a telehealth doctor, as opposed to a personal visit.

Globally, antibiotic use is highest in young children, especially in low-income areas. This is often in response to the fact that young children are prone to between four and six respiratory infections each year. While most of these diseases are treated with antibiotics, 80 percent are not caused by bacteria and therefore would not benefit from any antibiotics.

Are some users more likely to prescribe antibiotics?

Our findings are consistent with the notion that older physicians are more likely than younger colleagues to prescribe antibiotics. For example, one study found that physicians over 30 were several times more likely to prescribe antibiotics for common respiratory illnesses that are not necessarily needed. Another study found that physicians with more than 25 years of experience were more likely to prescribe longer than eight days.

What misinformation have you found among the public?

Many people believe that antibiotics are effective against bacterial and viral infections, knocking together all sorts of pathogens and adopting the view of “germs are germs”. Others believe that antibiotics cannot hurt. Across Europe, for example, 57 per cent of those surveyed were unaware that antibiotics were ineffective against viruses, and 44 per cent were unaware that antibiotics have no effect on colds or flu.

What other reasons have you found for inappropriately administering antibiotics?

Antibiotics are commonly used all over the world to self-treat unexpected health problems, such as in Nigeria, where women are increasingly using antibiotics to reduce menstrual cramps . In low- to middle-income countries, antibiotics are often seen as strong, magical drugs, capable of both curing and preventing a range of diseases. In many countries people take them back to work or school when they are ill. One study found that 63 percent of Chinese university students kept personal antibiotic stock at home.

Parents can apply for an antibiotic for their children so that they can go to work or for the children to return to school or day care. A U.S. study found that 43 percent of parents of a child with cold symptoms believed they needed antibiotics.

In addition, some doctors tend to prescribe antibiotics to maintain good relationships with patients who are expecting to receive medication. Patients may not want antibiotics altogether, but find the need for them by describing the severity of the illness or noting that they have worked in the past. for a similar matter. People have been less willing to wait and let illness run its course. The notion that there is a pill for lies of all kinds leads the public to seek immediate relief for symptoms from users and to self-medicate.

Every time an antibiotic is given, money changes hands. This is especially a problem in low- and middle-income countries, where pharmacists are happy to dispense without medication to their customers. Rural health practitioners in China are paid every time they are given an antibiotic as well. Such a monetary stimulus favors widespread use of antibiotics.

How will overuse of antibiotic be treated?

Clinicians need to be better educated about the long-term effects of the microbiome and learn about better ways to talk to their patients about the risks and benefits of antibiotics. They also need to improve their communication about the outcome of antibiotic treatments and identify alternative antibiotic options.