Agreement on the prescription of antimicrobial drugs.

BACKGROUND: There is universal awareness of the difficulties faced by doctors when prescribing antimicrobials. METHODS: Over a six-month period patients hospitalized in the ICU and under treatment with antibiotics and/or antifungals were eligible to participate in the study. The data were assessed by two infectious diseases specialists. Once completed, all case forms were sent independently to both evaluators (TZSC and ARM) by e-mail. Based on the data received, the evaluator completed a form automatically generated on the e-mail and returned it to the original mailbox for further analysis. We assessed the level of agreement between infectious disease specialists and the physicians directly responsible for the decision to begin antimicrobial therapy, as well as to assess the appropriateness of the regimen prescribed. RESULTS: Among the antimicrobial regimens prescribed to the 177 patients, 36% were considered inappropriate by specialist #1 and 38% were considered inappropriate by specialist #2. We found 78% agreement by at least one of the infectious disease specialists with the prescribed antimicrobial regimen, and in 49% of cases both specialists agreed with the prescribed regimen. Both disagreed with the prescribed regimen in 22% of the cases and they disagreed between themselves in 29% of the cases. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the difficulties in prescribing effective empirical antimicrobial therapy--they are of such magnitude that even two specialists in infectious diseases, well acquainted with our hospital's resistance patterns and our patients' profiles have considerable disagreement.

A study on systemic arterial hypertension in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To detect the actual prevalence of systemic hypertension in the city of Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, and frequent factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a randomized sample of the adult population of the city of Campo Grande, MS, in a total of 892 individuals. A questionnaire on age, gender, level of education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and aspects of the treatment was applied. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected. According to the WHO, a BMI<25 kg/m2 was considered normal weight; 25>BMI<30 overweight; and BMI> 30 obesity. Criteria for hypertension were based on the JNC VII report, with blood pressure cut-off values of 140 x 90 mmHg. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 41.4%, varying with age (up to 29 years: 11.8%; 30-39: 24.8%; 40-49: 43.3%; 50-59: 42.4%; 60-69: 48.6% and > 70: 62.3%). A higher prevalence was observed among men (51.8%), whereas among women the prevalence was 33.1%. Individuals with basic level of education tended to present higher rates. Among overweight and obese individuals, a higher prevalence of hypertension was observed: normal BMI (27.9%), overweight (45.6%) and obesity (58.6%). Above 60 years of age, a higher percentage of isolated systolic hypertension was observed, with 16.4% (60-69 years) and 24.6% (>70 years). Daily or weekly alcohol consumption was also related to a higher incidence, of 63.2% and 47.2%, respectively. Only 59.7% were known to be hypertensive. Of the hypertensive individuals, 57.3% were undergoing some type of treatment. Of those undergoing regular treatment, 60.5% presented hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension was 41.4%, therefore higher than the average verified in some studies. This calls the attention for worsened epidemiologic conditions and cardiovascular repercussions, thus showing the need for higher public investment on education and orientation of these population groups as regards prevention.