Trial reportBMJ (Clinical research ed.)1997
Open randomised trial of prescribing strategies in managing sore throat.
Trial report in BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 1997. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 162 papers, 13 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
162 citing papers in PubMed, 13 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 369 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pooled it
- Treatment of acute pharyngitis in children: an Italian intersociety consensus (SIPPS-SIP-SITIP-FIMP-SIAIP-SIMRI-FIMMG).Italian journal of pediatrics · 2024Guideline
- Immediate versus delayed versus no antibiotics for respiratory infections.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023Pooled it
- Antibiotics for treatment of sore throat in children and adults.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Delayed antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: individual patient data meta-analysis.BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2021Pooled it
- Systematic review of patient-oriented interventions to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections.Systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- Corticosteroids as standalone or add-on treatment for sore throat.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- Delayed antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory infections.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Antibiotics for sore throat.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Procalcitonin to initiate or discontinue antibiotics in acute respiratory tract infections.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2012Pooled it
- Guideline
- Topical antibiotics for acute bacterial conjunctivitis: a systematic review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2001Pooled it
- Nebulised steroid in the treatment of croup: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2000Pooled it
- Nasal sprays and a behavioural intervention for respiratory tract infections in primary care: 12-month follow-up of a randomised open-label trial.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Trial
- Tonsillectomy compared with conservative management in patients over 16 years with recurrent sore throat: the NATTINA RCT and economic evaluation.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2023Trial
- Trial
- Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections 12 Months After Communication and CRP Training: A Randomized Trial.Annals of family medicine · 2019Trial
- Probiotic capsules and xylitol chewing gum to manage symptoms of pharyngitis: a randomized controlled factorial trial.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2017Trial
- Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2016Trial
- Trial
102 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo assess three prescribing strategies for sore throat.
designRandomised follow up study.
setting11 general practices in the South and West region. SUBJECTS: 716 patients aged 4 years and over with sore throat and an abnormal physical sign in the throat; 84% had tonsillitis or pharyngitis. Patients were randomised to three groups: prescription for antibiotics for 10 days (group 1,246 patients); no prescription (group 2,230 patients); or prescription for antibiotics if symptoms were not starting to settle after three days (group 3; 238 patients).
main outcome measuresDuration of symptoms; satisfaction and compliance with and perceived efficacy of antibiotics; time off school or work. Outcomes were documented in 582 subjects (81%).
resultsMedian duration of antibiotic use differed significantly in the three groups (10 v 0 v 0 days, P < 0.001); 69% of patients in group 3 did not use their prescription. The proportion of patients better by day 3 did not differ significantly (37% v 35% v 30%, P = 0.28), nor did the duration of illness (median 4 v 5 v 5 days, P = 0.39), days off work or school (median 2 v 2 v 1, P = 0.13), or proportion of patients satisfied (96% v 90% v 93%, P = 0.09), although group 1 had fewer days of fever (median 1 v 2 v 2 days, P = 0.04). More patients in group 1 thought the antibiotics were effective (87% v 55% v 60%, P < 0.001) and intended coming to the doctor in future attacks (79% v 54% v 57%, P < 0.001). "Legitimation" of illness-to explain to work or school (60%) or family or friends (37%)-was an important reason for consultation. Patients who were more satisfied got better more quickly, and satisfaction related strongly to how well the doctor dealt with patient's concerns.
conclusionPrescribing antibiotics for sore throat only marginally affects the resolution of symptoms but enhances belief in antibiotics and intention to consult in future when compared with the acceptable strategies of no prescription or delayed prescription. Psychosocial factors are important in the decision to see a general practitioner and in predicting the duration of illness.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.