4 VIEWS & REVIEWS

European patients' perception of anti-infectives

Some patients' knowledge regarding the proper use of anti-infectives as treatment for respiratory tract infections is limited, and compliance is particularly low in countries where patients have a more casual attitude towards the use of anti-infectives, according to a survey conducted in Europe. The survey comprised telephone interviews of 3610 individuals in 6 European countries.

Results of the survey revealed a direct relationship between improvement in symptoms and premature discontinuation of a course of anti-infectives. Poor patient compliance with anti-infective regimens can result in unsuccessful pathogen eradication and further prescribing of anti-infectives, thus contributing to the possible development of pathogen resistance, warn the investigators.

Poor compliance in working adults Their survey also revealed that patients,

particularly working adults, consider that convenience (e.g. a short duration) of anti-infective regimens is as important as the efficacy of treatment. Working adults had the poorest compliance record among the participants, and compliance was lower in Spain, Italy and Turkey, compared with Belgium, France and the UK. Among the reasons for stopping a course of anti-infective treatment prematurely were: 'feeling better', 'forgetting', and 'disliking the taste'. Branthwaite A, PechC'e J-C. Pan-Ewupean survey of patients' attitudes to antibiotics and antibiotic use. Journal of International Medical Research 24: 229-238, May-Jun 1996 """59<

Inpharma- 29 Jun 1996 No. 1043 0156-270319611043-0004I$01.000 Adls International Limited 1996. All rights reserved