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** |