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Table 2 Patient characteristics and antibiotic prescribing (N = 962)

From: Visit complexity, diagnostic uncertainty, and antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in primary care: a retrospective study

Characteristic

Yes

No

Not mentioned

Prescribed antibiotics

 

N (%)

N (%)

Symptoms

 Nasal symptoms

556 (58)

112 (12)

294 (31)

132 (24)

 Sore throat

471 (49)

120 (12)

371 (39)

101 (21)

 Phlegm/sputum

375 (39)

316 (32)

271 (28)

91 (24)

 Fevers

272 (28)

475 (49)

215 (22)

76 (28)

 Headache

223 (23)

122 (13)

617 (64)

64 (29)

 Myalgias

187 (19)

58 (6)

717 (75)

46 (25)

 Shortness of breath

134 (14)

352 (37)

476 (49)

34 (25)

 Chest pain

108 (11)

263 (27)

591 (61)

19 (18)

Physical exam findings

 Oropharyngeal abnormality

248 (26)

496 (52)

218 (23)

54 (22)

 Lymphadenopathy

132 (14)

613 (64)

217 (23)

43 (33)

 Tympanic membrane or external auditory canal abnormality

117 (12)

296 (31)

549 (57)

39 (33)

 Abnormal appearance

114 (12)

632 (66)

216 (22)

38 (33)

 Abnormal lung sounds

106 (11)

755 (78)

101 (10)

46 (43)

 Wheezing

100 (10)

394 (41)

468 (49)

27 (27)