Table 1 Baseline characteristics for the population (n = 420) divided into groups based on Centor Score (3 or 4) and given treatment (Penicillin V 800 mg × 4 for 5 days or Penicillin V 1 g × 3 for 10 days) according to the physicians report
CS-3 1 g × 3 10 days n = 104 | CS-3 800 mg × 4 5 days n = 104 | CS-4 1 g × 3 10 days n = 105 | CS-4 800 mg × 4 5 days n = 107 | p-value* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women | 71 (68) | 65 (62) | 61 (59) | 72 (67) | 0.39 |
Age in years: median (range) | 30 (3–67) | 30 (6–73) | 31 (7–63) | 30 (7–57) | 0.29 |
Age group | |||||
≤ 11 | 13 (13) | 19 (18) | 14 (13) | 19 (18) | |
12–17 | 10 (10) | 10 (10) | 13 (12) | 13 (12) | |
≥ 18 | 81 (78) | 75 (72) | 78 (74) | 81 (76) | |
Weight (kg): median (range) | 68 (12.5–130) | 65(18–114) | 70 (21–126) | 68 (27–116) | 0.19 |
Smoker | 9 (9) | 8 (8) | 5 (5) | 11 (10) | 0.63 |
Fever ≥ 38.5 °C | 56 (54) | 50 (48) | 105 (100) | 107 (100) | |
Tender lymph nodes | 83(80) | 92 (89) | 104 (100) | 107 (100) | |
Coating of the tonsils | 80 (77) | 74 (71) | 105 (100) | 107 (100) | |
No cough | 80 (89) | 74 (92) | 105 (100) | 107 (100) | |
Positive culture for GAS at inclusion visit | 84 (81) | 92 (89) | 91 (87) | 99 (92) | 0.13 |
Days with throat pain before inclusion visit, median (range) | 3 (1–15) | 3 (1–14) | 3 (1–30) | 3 (1–13) | 0.44 |
Throat pain according to the patient | |||||
Mild | 2 (2) | 5 (5) | 5 (5) | 3 (3) | |
Moderate | 49 (47) | 46 (44) | 31 (30) | 33 (31) | 0.048 |
Severe | 53 (51) | 53 (51) | 69 (65) | 71 (66) | |
General condition according to the physician | |||||
Mildly affected | 41 (39) | 35 (34) | 28 (27) | 30 (28) | |
Moderately affected | 63 (61) | 69 (66) | 77 (73) | 77 (72) | 0.18 |
Impact of the infection | |||||
Ability to eat and drink | 89 (86) | 86 (83) | 96 (91) | 96 (90) | 0.22 |
Sleep | 78 (75) | 83 (81) | 85 (80) | 85 (80) | 0.75 |
General condition | 86 (83) | 92 (89) | 91 (87) | 99 (92) | 0.30 |
Daily activity | 88 (85) | 86 (83) | 94 (80) | 96 (90) | 0.65 |
Days (median) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0.23 |
Tonsillectomized | 4 (4) | 3 (3) | 3 (3) | 2 (2) | 0.86 |
> 3 antibiotic-treated tonsillitis last year | 3 (3) | 1 (1) | 1 (1) | 3 (3) | 0.52 |
Children < 18 years in the household | 74 (71) | 79 (76) | 77 (73) | 81 (76) | 0.62 |
Ongoing throat infection in family or related | 30 (29) | 24 (23) | 32 (31) | 35 (33) | 0.60 |