Table 3 Descriptive statistics (n = 1270) and bivariate analysis
From: Factors associated with antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis at a university health center
| Variable | Visits | Odds Ratio (95% CI) | Bivariatep-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | |||
| visit date | 1267 (99.8%) | 0.99 (0.99-0.99) | p < 0.001 ** |
| week day | 1267 (99.8%) | range 0.60-1.40 | p = 0.26 |
| time of day | 1258 (99.0%) | 0.99 (0.99-1.00) | p = 0.61 |
| Patient Characteristics | |||
| gender | p = 0.07 | ||
| female (reference group) | 788 (62.0%) | - | |
| male | 477 (46.3%) | 1.25 (0.98-1.60) | |
| not recorded | 5 (0.4%) | - | |
| race | p = 0.20 | ||
| white (reference group) | 737 (58.0%) | - | |
| multiple | 117 (9.2%) | 0.76 (0.48-1.17) | |
| Asian | 61 (4.8%) | 0.88 (0.49-1.54) | |
| black | 31 (2.4%) | 1.00 (0.45-2.11) | |
| Hispanic | 7 (0.6%) | - | |
| international | 8 (0.6%) | - | |
| Pacific islander | 2 (0.1%) | - | |
| not recorded | 307 (24.2%) | - | |
| academic status | p = 0.70 | ||
| undergraduate student (reference group) | 1153 (90.8%) | - | |
| graduate student | 101 (7.9%) | 0.83 (0.52-1.30) | |
| spouse/dependent | 4 (0.3%) | - | |
| not recorded | 12 (0.9%) | - | |
| height (inches) | 1242 (97.8%) | 1.03 (1.00-1.07) | p = 0.04* |
| weight (pounds) | 1236 (97.3%) | 1.00 (0.99-1.01) | p = 0.15 |
| Visit Characteristics | |||
| provider | 1254 (98.7%) | range 0.07 -3.27 | p < 0.001** |
| onset duration (patient reported) | 1250 (98.4%) | 0.99 (0.99-1.00) | p < 0.001** |
| severity (patient reported) | p = 0.02* | ||
| mild (reference group) | 69 (5.4%) | - | |
| moderate | 381 (30.0%) | 0.54 (0.32-0.95) | |
| severe | 37 (2.9%) | 1.20 (0.52-2.72) | |
| not recorded | 783 (61.6%) | - | |
| timing (patient reported) | p < 0.001** | ||
| stable/no change (reference group) | 322 (25.3%) | - | |
| worsening | 370 (29.1%) | 2.59 (1.84-3.65) | |
| improving | 176 (13.8%) | 0.67 (0.40-1.09) | |
| not recorded | 402 (31.6%) | - | |
| antibiotics in past month | 85 (6.7%) | 0.44 (0.23-0.77) | p = 0.006** |
| Additional Diagnosis | |||
| URI | 216 (17.0%) | 0.30 (0.19-0.44) | p < 0.001** |
| suspicious cough | 102 (8.0%) | 1.30 (0.84-1.98) | p = 0.22 |
| allergic rhinitis | 38 (3.0%) | 0.43 (0.16-0.96) | p = 0.06 |
| fever | 19 (1.5%) | 2.13 (0.84-5.31) | p = 0.10 |
| viral syndrome | 15 (1.2%) | - | - |
| tonsillitis | 6 (0.4%) | - | - |
| influenza | 5 (0.4%) | - | - |
| mononucleosis | 7 (0.5%) | - | - |
| Common Symptoms Recorded† | |||
| throat symptoms | |||
| sore throat | 459 (36.1%) | 1.45 (1.13-1.86) | p = 0.003** |
| painful swallowing | 146 (11.5%) | 0.60 (0.39-0.89) | p = 0.01* |
| hoarseness | 186 (14.6%) | 0.84 (0.59-1.18) | p = 0.32 |
| swollen glands in neck | 126 (9.9%) | 1.19 (0.80-1.75) | p = 0.39 |
| systemic symptoms | |||
| headache | 272 (21.4%) | 0.88 (0.65-1.18) | p = 0.40 |
| documented fever | 73 (5.7%) | 0.63 (0.39-1.04) | p = 0.06 |
| fever symptoms (patient reported) | 285 (22.4%) | 1.10 (0.83-1.46) | p = 0.51 |
| chills | 164 (12.9%) | 0.86 (0.60-1.22) | p = 0.38 |
| sweats | 182 (14.3%) | 1.02 (0.73-1.45) | p = 0.92 |
| nasal symptoms | |||
| stuffy nose | 782 (61.6%) | 1.04 (0.81-1.33) | p = 0.76 |
| sinus congestion | 402 (39.0%) | 0.83 (0.64-1.08) | p = 0.16 |
| clear nasal discharge | 251 (19.8%) | 0.86 (0.63-1.16) | p = 0.33 |
| purulent nasal discharge | 212 (16.7%) | 0.96 (0.69-1.32) | p = 0.79 |
| post-nasal drip sensation | 444 (35.0%) | 1.10 (0.86-1.41) | p = 0.46 |
| sinus pain | 85 (6.7%) | 1.79 (1.14-2.79) | p = 0.01* |
| sneezing | 108 (8.5%) | 0.47 (0.28-0.77) | p = 0.004** |
| pulmonary symptoms | |||
| sleep disruption due to cough | 710 (55.9%) | 1.08 (0.85-1.37) | p = 0.54 |
| sputum production | 743 (58.5%) | 0.94 (0.73-1.20) | p = 0.61 |
| shortness of breath | 412 (32.4%) | 0.69 (0.53-0.88) | p = 0.003** |
| chest tightness | 331 (26.1%) | 0.82 (0.62-1.07) | p = 0.14 |
| wheezing | 340 (26.8%) | 0.64 (0.49-0.84) | p = 0.001** |
| chest pain | 269 (21.2%) | 0.75 (0.56-0.99) | p = 0.047* |
| paroxysms of cough | 362 (28.5%) | 0.91 (0.70-1.18) | p = 0.46 |
| ear symptoms | |||
| ear pain | 59 (4.6%) | 1.03 (0.57-1.78) | p = 0.93 |
| ear pressure sensation | 143 (11.2%) | 0.93 (0.63-1.36) | p = 0.71 |
| decreased hearing | 41 (3.2%) | 0.96 (0.47-1.87) | p = 0.92 |
| GI symptoms | |||
| loss of appetite | 146 (11.5%) | 0.80 (0.53-1.17) | p = 0.26 |
| abdominal pain | 29 (2.3%) | 0.26 (0.06-0.75) | p = 0.03* |
| post-tussive vomiting | 85 (6.7%) | 0.59 (0.38-0.92) | p = 0.02* |
| nausea | 72 (5.7%) | 0.50 (0.26-0.89) | p = 0.02* |
| vomiting | 58 (4.6%) | 0.73 (0.38-1.32) | p = 0.32 |
| diarrhea | 37 (2.9%) | 1.27 (0.62-2.49) | p = 0.49 |
| neuro-vascular symptoms | |||
| lightheadedness | 59 (4.6%) | 1.30 (0.74-2.24) | p = 0.33 |
| Commonly Ordered Labs | |||
| chest x-ray | 223 (17.6%) | 2.17 (1.61-2.91) | p < 0.001** |
| rapid strep screen | 37 (2.9%) | 0.54 (0.21-1.16) | p = 0.14 |
| complete blood count | 115 (9.0%) | 1.38 (0.92-2.06) | p = 0.11 |
| monospot | 36 (2.8%) | 1.33 (0.65-2.61) | p = 0.41 |
| influenza A + B | 19 (1.5%) | 0.27 (0.04-0.95) | p = 0.08 |
| Common Exam Findings† | |||
| ear exam | |||
| tympanic membrane (TM) bulging | 32 (2.5%) | 0.07 (0.004-0.34) | p = 0.01* |
| TM retraction | 48 (3.8%) | 0.77 (0.38-1.46) | p = 0.44 |
| visible fluid behind TM | 173 (13.6%) | 0.18 (0.10-0.30) | p < 0.001** |
| cerumen in canal | 37 (2.9%) | 0.64 (0.27-1.34) | p = 0.26 |
| nose exam | |||
| mucosal edema | 707 (55.7%) | 0.83 (0.65-1.06) | p = 0.14 |
| mucosal erythema | 606 (47.7%) | 0.80 (0.63-1.02) | p = 0.07 |
| nasal discharge | 382 (30.1%) | 1.58 (1.22-2.04) | p < 0.001** |
| maxillary sinus tenderness | 35 (2.7%) | 2.01 (1.01-3.95) | p = 0.04* |
| throat exam | |||
| erythema | 240 (18.9%) | 0.76 (0.55-1.04) | p = 0.09 |
| lymphoid hyperplasia | 114 (9.0%) | 1.59 (1.07-2.36) | p = 0.02* |
| post-nasal drip | 181 (14.2%) | 1.41 (1.01-1.95) | p = 0.04* |
| tonsil exam | |||
| surgically absent | 56 (4.4%) | 0.93 (0.50-1.65) | p = 0.81 |
| erythema | 97 (7.6%) | 0.47 (0.27-0.79) | p = 0.006** |
| enlarged | 57 (4.5%) | 1.10 (0.62-2.04) | p = 0.74 |
| lymphatics exam | |||
| anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, tender | 64 (5.0%) | 1.88 (1.12-3.12) | p = 0.01* |
| anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, non-tender | 103 (8.1%) | 0.81 (0.51-1.27) | p = 0.38 |
| posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, non-tender | 62 (4.9%) | 0.67 (0.35-1.20) | p = 0.19 |
| anterior cervical lymphadenopathy | 132 (10.4%) | 2.80 (1.94-4.04) | p < 0.001** |
| posterior cervical lymphadenopathy | 38 (3.0%) | 1.08 (0.52-2.12) | p = 0.83 |
| lung exam | |||
| wheezing | 253 (19.9%) | 1.82 (1.37-2.43) | p < 0.001** |
| rales | 22 (1.7%) | 8.26 (3.24-25.27) | p < 0.001** |
| rhonchi | 273 (21.5%) | 2.30 (1.74-3.03) | p < 0.001** |
| percussion abnormality | 30 (2.4%) | 9.89 (4.27-26.89) | p < 0.001** |
