Reviewed by Cindy Noyes, MD, University of Vermont Medical Center
Ya and colleagues describe their systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) with antibiotic use. They included 52 studies from varied practice settings (hospitalized patients, outpatients, long-term care), with varied patient populations (adult and pediatric patients) and across different economic strata, including low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) as well as high income countries (HIC). The primary outcome assessed antibiotic consumption (measured by defined daily doses (DDD) or days of treatment per patient-days) and antibiotic prescriptions. ASPs were associated with a 10% reduction in antibiotic prescriptions and a 28% reduction in antibiotic consumption rate overall. Reduction in antibiotic consumption was noted in all antibiotic classes and was greatest in pediatric patients (as compared to adults), in LMIC (though only 5 countries represented) and when decision support tools were initiated. Thus, despite the heterogeneity of practice settings, patient populations and economic drivers, ASPs are associated with reduced antibiotic use.
Reference:
Ya K, Win P, Bielicki J, et al. Association between antimicrobial stewardship programs and antibiotic use globally: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open. 2023; 6(2): e2253806. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.53806 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2801197
