Management of acute pharyngitis in adults: reliability of rapid streptococcal tests and clinical findings.

Background: How to use clinical score, the rapid streptococcal antigen test (RSAT), and culture results is uncertain for efficient management of acute pharyngitis in adults.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 372 adult patients with pharyngitis treated at a Swiss university-based primary care clinic. In eligible patients with 2 to 4 clinical symptoms and signs (temperature >or=38 degrees C, tonsillar exudate, tender cervical adenopathy, and no cough or rhinitis), we performed an RSAT and obtained a throat culture.

Evaluation of drug prescription at the Geneva prison's outpatient service in comparison to an urban outpatient medical service.

Purpose: To analyse non-psychotropic drug prescription in a prison outpatient clinic in comparison with an urban medical outpatient service.

Methods: Comparative study during 3 weeks at Geneva: prison outpatient service and medical policlinic (MP) of the University Hospital.

Results: The most often prescribed non-psychotropic drugs at the Geneva prison were systemic analgesics (mostly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and paracetamol), dermatologicals, systemic anti-infectives and drugs for the gastrointestinal system.

Prescription of hypnotics and tranquilisers at the Geneva prison's outpatient service in comparison to an urban outpatient medical service.

Objectives: Examine whether an overconsumption of tranquillizers exists in prison and discuss possible reasons.

Methods: Comparative study during three weeks at Geneva: prison outpatient service and Medical Policlinic (MP) of the University Hospital.

Results: When comparing the 113 (prison) and 151 (MP) male patients younger than 39 years, we found important differences concerning the quality and quantity of prescriptions of psychoactive drugs: ten times more prison patients than patients from the MP were treated with benzodiazepines (BZD).