A colleague just sent me this information – The Sore Throat Symptom and Complication Study: DESCARTE
We hope that analysing the data will show differences in the signs and symptoms of those patients developing a complication or worsening symptoms versus those who recovered quickly. If we find a difference we can create a ‘Decision Rule’ which, after being prospectively tested, GPs and nurses could use in the future to identify patients likely to get complications or extended symptoms. This could help with targeting antibiotics to those most likely to benefit and help reduce antibiotic prescribing for sore throats.
Bravo – the study is apparently complete. I look forward to reading the results.
