Evidence from national databases suggests that both acute and chronic sinus inflammation (sinusitis) is being overtreated with poorly chosen medications, researchers report.
Data from 1999 and 2002 collected by the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey suggests that there were roughly 14 million visits annually because of chronic sinusitis and 3 million because of acute sinusitis.
According to the Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership, acute sinusitis lasts for up to 4 weeks, while chronic cases last at least 12 weeks.
Hadley J. Sharp and associates at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha report that 83 percent of visits for acute sinusitis resulted in a prescription for an antibiotic, as did 70 percent of visits for chronic sinusitis.
"Prescription antibiotic drugs are being used far more than bacterial causes studies would indicate," the authors warn.
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