Respiratory tract infections in Norwegian primary care 2006–2015: a registry-based study

Abstract

Objective

Examine characteristics and time trends of respiratory tract infection (RTI) consultations in Norwegian primary care and compare consultations in daytime general practice and out-of-hours (OOH) services.

Design

Registry-based study using reimbursement claims data.

Setting

All in-person primary care consultations during 2006–2015.

Patients

All patients visiting primary care during the study period.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome variable was RTI consultations. Differences regarding service type (general practice or OOH services) and changes over time were investigated. We report associations with patient age and sex, season, point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) test use, and sickness certificate issuing.

Results

RTI consultations (n = 16 304 777) represented 11.6% of all consultations (N = 140 199 637) in primary care over the ten-year period. The annual number of RTI consultations per 1000 inhabitants decreased from 335 to 314, while the number of consultations for any reason increased. Of RTI consultations, 83.2% occurred in general practice. OOH services had a higher proportion of RTI consultations (21.4%) compared with general practice (10.6%). Young children (0–4 years) represented 18.9% of all patients in RTI consultations. CRP testing was used in 56.2% of RTI consultations, and use increased over time. Sickness certificates were issued in 31.9% of RTI consultations with patients of working age (20–67 years).

Conclusion

Most RTI consultations occurred in general practice, although the proportion was higher in OOH services. Laboratory testing and/or issuing of sickness certificates were part of most consultations. This could be an important reason for seeking health care.

Key Points

• Patients with a respiratory tract infection (RTI) are mostly managed in primary care, where they represent much of the workload.

• Most consultations for RTIs took place in daytime general practice, but out-of-hours services had a higher proportion of RTI consultations.

• RTIs were the dominating reason for encounter among young children both in out-of-hours services and daytime general practice.

• CRP tests were used in over half of RTI consultations, and their use expanded over time.

Keywords:

• Data analysis
• epidemiology
• general practice
• health services research
• primary health care
• respiratory tract infections

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Correction

Acknowledgment

The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, approval ID 2018/1541.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest in the publication of this research paper.

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2023.2250170)