Supervisors info:
Γεωργοπούλου Μαρία, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Οδοντιατρικής, Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας, ΕΚΠΑ
Τζανετάκης Γιώργος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Οδοντιατρικής, Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας, ΕΚΠΑ
Αγραφιώτη Αναστασία, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Οδοντιατρικής, Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health issue caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics have been used widely for the management of signs and symptoms of endodontic origin (SSEO), although their use is seldom indicated. Antibiotics are sometimes self-medicated or their use has been recommended to the patient by a dental practitioner before the dental visit.
Aim: to investigate the history of antibiotic consumption of patients visiting the School of Dentistry, University of Athens, with SEEO.
Methods: sample consisted of patients having SEEO during the last (1) month attending the postgraduate clinic, the undergraduate clinic and the emergency clinic between February 2019 and June 2020. Patients and practitioners completed a questionnaire which was designed to collect information about history of antibiotic consumption and the diagnosis of the affected tooth.
Results: the sample consisted of 184 questionnaires. 26.6% of the patients reported antibiotic consumption. The most often used antibiotic was amoxicillin (52.1%). Consumption of antibiotics was greater for older patients (>59) than 18-39 and 40-59 age groups (63,6% vs 15,3% and 25,2%, respectively,χ2=23,168, p<0,0001). 19.6% of patients reported having a swelling close to the affected tooth. Those patients received antibiotics in a higher rate compared to those without swelling (88,9% vs 11,5%, respectively,χ2=88,789, p<0,0001). Patients with unbearable or intense pain received antibiotics in a higher rate compared to those with moderate, mild, or no pain. (85% and 42% vs 13%, 14,3 and 2,5%, respectively, χ2=59,37, p<0,0001). Patients with a diagnosis of chronic apical periodontitis and primary or secondary acute apical periodontitis received antibiotics in a higher rate (87,5% , 71,4% and 75% respectively,χ2=100,272, p<0,0001). Patients with SEEO caused in upper and lower incisors and canines received antibiotics in a higher rate than other teeth. (χ2=29,535, p<0, 0001). 3.8% of patients had received dental treatment for the responsible tooth during the last 30 days. Antibiotic use was recommended in 12.2% from a dentist who didn’t clinically exam the patient and self-medicated on 34.7% of the patients.
Conclusion: Patients with SEEO visiting the School of Dentistry, University of Athens have often consumed antibiotics in cases not indicated. Presence of swelling is the most determining factor for antibiotic consumption, while pain intensity and diagnosis are important too.
Keywords:
Antibiotics, Endodontic infection, Symptoms, Toothace, Oral swelling
