Publications by authors named "Cots J"

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on ATCC PTA-6737 as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut-flora stabiliser) in the context of the renewal of the authorisation for turkeys for fattening and turkeys reared for breeding. The applicant is also requesting to modify the target species in the current authorisations to 'all growing poultry', the increase of the recommended use level in chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species except minor poultry for laying from 1 × 10 to 1 × 10 CFU/kg complete feed and the compatibility of the additive with halofuginone. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the conditions of the authorisation.

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Background: Evidence shows a high rate of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in primary care. There is increasing evidence showing that shorter courses for RTIs are safe and help in reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Stopping antibiotics earlier, as soon as patients feel better, rather than completing antibiotic courses, may help reduce unnecessary exposure to antibiotics and AMR.

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Objective: We aimed to compare the actual consumption of antibiotics among patients issued delayed antibiotic prescribing with the consumption observed in a non-systematic review of studies on delayed prescribing.

Methods: Observational study carried out in three primary care centres from September 2018 until March 2020. We tracked the electronic records of the 82 patients with episodes of acute bronchitis and 44 acute pharyngitis who were given a patient-led delayed prescription to determine whether the prescription was filled and when this medication was obtained.

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Objectives: To determine the benefits and harms of discontinuing unnecessary antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated respiratory tract infections (RTI) when antibiotics are considered no longer necessary.

Methods: Multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial in primary care centres from 2017 to 2020 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02900820).

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Objective: To study the incidence of infection in close contacts with patiens with SARS-CoV-2 infection using a telephone monitoring protocol after the recommendation of isolation and quarantine at home.

Patients And Methods: Cohort study, with 124 patients older than 15 years, included consecutively, asymptomatic at the time of the consultation, who had had close contact (<2 m) with confirmed or possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The intervention consisted of 2 weeks of home isolation and quarantine, contacting by phone on days, 2, 4, 7 and 14 after the contact.

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Purpose: Co-design processes with patients allow developing health education materials, that are adapted to the population's knowledge and use of language, to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.

Patients And Methods: This study presents a co-design process of educational material with patients (over 18 years old) with a previous diagnosis of acute lower respiratory tract infection. The co-design was framed within a qualitative study (Phase I, interviews; Phase II, focus group) conducted in Barcelona between April and September 2019.

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Objective: To study the incidence of infection in close contacts with patiens with SARS-CoV-2 infection using a telephone monitoring protocol after the recommendation of isolation and quarantine at home.

Patients And Methods: Cohort study, with 124 patients older than 15 years, included consecutively, asymptomatic at the time of the consultation, who had had close contact (<2 meters) with confirmed or possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The intervention consisted of 2 weeks of home isolation and quarantine, contacting by phone on days, 2, 4, 7 and 14 after the contact.

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Antibiotic resistance is a global health concern. Although numerous strategies have tried to reduce inadequate antibiotic prescribing, antibiotics are still prescribed in 60% of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) cases in Catalonia (Spain). This study aims to explore service users' experiences of ALRTIs, the quality and access to healthcare services, and health education.

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Background: Despite their marginal benefit, about 60% of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) are currently treated with antibiotics in Catalonia. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a continuous disease-focused intervention (C-reactive protein [CRP]) and an illness-focused intervention (enhancement of communication skills to optimise doctor-patient consultations) on antibiotic prescribing in patients with ALRTIs in Catalan primary care centres.

Methods/design: A cluster randomised, factorial, controlled trial aimed at including 20 primary care centres (N = 2940 patients) with patients older than 18 years of age presenting for a first consultation with an ALRTI will be included in the study.

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Introduction: Despite the frequent use of therapies in acute bronchitis, the evidence of their benefit is lacking, since only a few clinical trials have been published, with low sample sizes, poor methodological quality and mainly in children. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three symptomatic therapies (dextromethorphan, ipratropium or honey) associated with usual care and the usual care in adults with acute bronchitis.

Methods And Analysis: This will be a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel group, open randomised trial.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the long-term effects of previous interventions on antibiotic prescriptions for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) by general practitioners (GPs) six years later.
  • Out of the GPs who underwent the intervention, there was a slight increase in antibiotic prescriptions, while control GPs who had no training prescribed significantly more antibiotics.
  • Despite the increase among GPs, the study found that the practice of withholding antibiotics for patients with low C-reactive protein levels had decreased over the six-year period.
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Objective: No study has evaluated the impact of a multifaceted intervention on the quality of the antibiotics prescribed more than 5 years later.

Methods: A total of 210 general practitioners (GP) from eight different regions of Spain were asked to participate in two registrations of respiratory tract infections (RTI) in 2008, before, and in 2009, just after a multifaceted intervention including prescriber feedback, clinical guidelines, training sessions focused on appropriate antibiotic prescribing, workshop on rapid tests and provision of these tests in the GP consultation. They were all again invited to participate in a similar registration in 2015.

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Objectives: Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of educational interventions on antibiotic prescription and the results are controversial. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of a multifaceted practice-based intervention carried out 6 years earlier on current antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods: The 210 general practitioners (GPs) who completed the first two registrations in 2008 and 2009 were invited to participate in a third registration.

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Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is treated with penicillin in some northern European countries.

Objectives: To evaluate whether high-dose penicillin V is as effective as high-dose amoxicillin for the treatment of non-severe CAP.

Design: Multicentre, parallel, double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial.

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Objective: The diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections (UTI) vary widely across countries and practices. The objective of this study was to gain insight into general practitioners' (GP) perceptions on the current management of UTIs and asymptomatic bacteriuria in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional, internet-based questionnaire study answered from July to September 2013.

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Introduction: Since 2011, the Spanish Society of Family Medicine has recommended general practitioners (GPs) to ask their patients to stop taking antibiotics when they suspect a viral infection. However, this practice is seldom used because uncertainty about diagnosis, and fear of consequences of discontinuing antibiotic therapy, as well as perceived pressure to continue prescribing antibiotics and potential conflict with patients are more of a concern for GPs than antibiotic resistance. The main objective of this study is to determine whether discontinuation of antibiotic therapy when a GP no longer considers it necessary has any impact on the number of days with severe symptoms.

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Background: The management of sore throat varies widely in Europe. The objective of this study was to gain insight into clinicians' perceptions on the current management of sore throat in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional, internet-based questionnaire study answered from July to September 2013.

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Introduction: General practitioners (GP) in Spain do not have access to rapid tests and adherence to guidelines is usually suboptimal. The aim of the study is to evaluate the estimated number of antibiotics that could have been saved if GPs had appropriately used these tests and had followed the guidelines.

Design: Observational study.

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Acute pharyngitis in adults is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in general practitioners' consultations. Viral aetiology is the most common. Among bacterial causes, the main agent is Streptococcus pyogenes or group A β-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), which causes 5%-30% of the episodes.

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Acute pharyngitis in adults is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in general practitioners' consultations. Viral aetiology is the most common. Among bacterial causes, the main agent is Streptococcus pyogenes or group A β-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), which causes 5%-30% of the episodes.

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Acute pharyngitis in adults is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in general practitioners' consultations. Viral aetiology is the most common. Among bacterial causes, the main agent is Streptococcus pyogenes or group A β-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), which causes 5%-30% of the episodes.

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Article Synopsis
  • Acute pharyngitis is a common infection in adults, primarily caused by viruses, with Streptococcus pyogenes being a significant bacterial culprit in 5%-30% of cases.
  • Diagnostic tools, like clinical assessment scales, help doctors identify which patients might have a bacterial infection and need rapid testing, reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
  • Effective treatment focuses on symptom relief and prevention of complications, with penicillin and amoxicillin being the preferred antibiotics, while management algorithms guide appropriate diagnosis and antibiotic use.
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