Clinical Research Directory

PCOT for Outpatients With Acute Respiratory Tract Infection at Risk of Severe Disease in Primary Healthcare

This study aims to evaluate the clinical value of point-of-care multiplex PCR testing (POCT) in guiding early diagnosis and target treatment for acute respiratory infections in primary healthcare settings.

A Long-term Observational Study Evaluating the Presentation and Management of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care Across Europe

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the commonest reason for consulting in community care. Furthermore, new and re-emerging pathogens are often first noticed in primary care (PC). The POS-ARI-PC study is a long-term study, with the aim of describing the nature of ARI in adults and children presenting to PC across Europe. The POS-ARI-PC study will provide critically important data on the presentation and management of ARI, and build a research-ready infrastructure for studies related to the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of ARI in primary care settings. Additional observational studies will be embedded and use the infrastructure developed in POS-ARI-PC.

Interventions on Non-prescription Dispensing of Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies

This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in community pharmacies. Empirical data were collected primarily using standardized patient methods. In Hubei Province, 400 community pharmacies were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention group and the control group according to the ratio of 1:1. A one-month intervention was conducted in community pharmacies in the intervention group, which included both social surveillance and health education. First, on-site training was provided to community pharmacy staff. Respiratory physicians and pediatricians were invited to give health education lectures on disease diagnosis and treatment, medication use, etc. Second, signs were posted or hung in the community pharmacies of the intervention group, saying that "antibiotics need to be purchased with a prescription, and you are welcome to call the 12315 hotline to report if you find any sales without a prescription", in order to open up the channels of social supervision and to form a social surveillance intervention. The control group only received the regular drug supervision and management measures in Hubei Province. The primary outcome is to observe the proportion of community pharmacies selling antibiotics without a prescription.

POS-ARI-ER Observational Study of Acute Respiratory Infections

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are one of the most frequent reasons for hospital admission and antibiotic use, and can be caused by a broad range of pathogens, including respiratory viruses with proven epidemic potential, e.g. influenza and coronaviruses. The POS-ARI-ER study will focus on describing the different routine diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the work-up and treatment of ARI, as well as clinical outcomes across the patient population. In addition, POS-ARI-ER aims to characterise both the adult patient population with ARI presenting to acute hospital settings in Europe, and the aetiology of ARI in these patients.

Tailoring Antibiotic Duration for Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care

The rise of drug-resistant organisms and the need to minimize side effects calls for a new approach to antibiotic therapy duration. This study explores tailoring the length of antibiotic treatment to patient recovery, focusing on whether adjusting therapy based on when the patient feels better is as effective as completing the prescribed course for acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The investigators will enroll 474 outpatients aged 18-75 with acute RTIs across 25 Spanish healthcare centers. Patients will be randomized into two groups: one following standard full-course antibiotic therapy, and another receiving a tailored approach, where treatment may be shortened based on clinical assessments. The primary outcome is clinical efficacy at day 14. Secondary outcomes include antibiotic duration, complications, and quality of life.

Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing in Family Practice

Antibiotic prescribing for childhood acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs), including acute otitis media (AOM), pharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and upper respiratory infection (URI), is common in the United States (US). In the outpatient setting, more than 50% of children diagnosed with ARTIs receive antibiotic prescriptions. Considering that the estimated US prevalence of pediatric bacterial ARTIs is 27% (with the remainder of ARTIs caused by viruses) this represents a substantial degree of antibiotic overuse nationwide. Another troubling trend in antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs in children is the increased reliance on broad-spectrum, second-line agents for bacterial ARTIs. Unwarranted use of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum agents, has been associated with increased resistance among several strains of bacteria that commonly cause ARTIs, posing risks to both individuals and communities.