Association between use of rapid antigen detection tests and adherence to antibiotics in suspected streptococcal pharyngitis

Figures & data

Table I. Sociodemographic and adherence parameters observed in patients with pharyngitis depending on the use of rapid antigen detection tests

Parameter	No use of RADT	Use of RADT	Total	p
n	116	80	196
Age, years. Mean (SD)	30.3 (11.2)	27.5 (8.8)	29.1 (10.4)	NS
Female gender, n (%)	58 (50.0)	46 (57.5)	104 (53.1)	NS
4 criteria present, n (%)	42 (36.2)	31 (38.8)	73 (37.2)	NS
Smokers, n (%)	43 (37.1)	25 (31.3)	68 (34.7)	NS
Thrice-daily regimens
n	68	32	100
Age, years. Mean (SD)	31.3 (12.2)	27.2 (7.6)	30.0 (11.0)	NS
% openings (SD)	70.8 (15.2)	80.1 (11.8)	73.8 (14.8)	< 0.01
> 80% doses, n (%)	21 (30.9)	15 (46.9)	36 (36.0)	NS
Good timing adherence^1, n (%)	14 (20.6)	9 (28.1)	23 (23.0)	NS
Twice-daily regimens
n	48	48	96
Age, years. Mean (SD)	28.9 (9.5)	27.7 (9.6)	28.3 (9.5)	NS
% openings (SD)	76.5 (21.8)	88.1 (14.7)	82.3 (19.4)	< 0.01
> 80% doses, n (%)	28 (58.3)	42 (87.5)	70 (72.9)	< 0.01
Good timing adherence^1, n (%)	24 (50.0)	33 (68.8)	57 (59.4)	< 0.05
All the patients
n	116	80	196
Age, years. Mean (SD)	30.3 (11.2)	27.5 (8.8)	29.1 (10.4)	NS
% openings (SD)	73.1 (18.4)	84.9 (14.1)	77.9 (17.7)	< 0.001
> 80% doses, n (%)	49 (42.2)	57 (71.3)	106 (54.1)	< 0.001
Good timing adherence^1, n (%)	38 (32.8)	42 (52.5)	80 (40.8)	< 0.01

Notes: ¹When the openings of the container coincided with the times recommended: interval of 8+4 h during at least 80% of the thrice-daily course of antibiotic treatment; and 12 + 6 h during at least 80% of the antibiotic course for the twice-daily antibiotics. RADT: rapid antigen detection tests.

Figure 1. Flow of patients throughout the study.

Figure 2. Correct dosing. (A) Percentage of patients who opened the MEMS containers the satisfactory number of times (at least twice) in pharyngitis treated with twice daily antibiotic regimens depending on the use of RADT. Not all the patients began to take the antibiotic in the morning of the first day. (B) Percentage of patients who opened the MEMS containers the satisfactory number of times (at least three times per day) in pharyngitis treated with thrice daily antibiotic regimens depending on the use of RADT. Not all the patients began to take the antibiotic in the morning of the first day.