What a difference a CRP makes. A prospective observational study on how point-of-care C-reactive protein testing influences antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections in Swedish primary health care

Abstract

CRP is an important factor in the decision on whether to prescribe antibiotics for RTIs. Error estimates of CRP and willingness to measure CRP are important factors leading to physicians changing decisions on antibiotic treatment. Key points There is a generally low antibiotic prescription rate and a high frequency of C-reactive protein (CRP) testing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Sweden. CRP testing was considered essential to further management in 38% of cases. In 86% of visits decisions concerning antibiotic prescription were unchanged. The strongest predictors for revised decisions on antibiotic treatment were error estimates of CRP and the physician's opinion that CRP measurement was crucial.