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New Delhi, April 5, 2025: A significant study has raised concerns about the growing trend of prescribing antibiotics to younger adults without adequately assessing their risk of complications, potentially fueling the dangerous rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Research led by epidemiologists at the University of Manchester, UK, suggests that prescribing decisions for common infections often don’t align with patient prognosis or the actual risk of the illness worsening.
The study, analysing a massive 15.7 million patient records and published in the prestigious Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, uncovered a striking disparity. It found that the most elderly patients in the sample were 31 percent less likely than the youngest patients to receive an antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory infections (URIs).
Researchers interpret this as evidence that “many younger people are being prescribed antibiotics, even though they are often fit enough to recover without them, potentially leading to resistance.” Simultaneously, this trend implies that many older individuals, who may genuinely need antibiotics to combat infections due to weaker immune systems, might not be receiving them, increasing their risk of complications and hospital admissions.
The findings also indicated that prescribing practices were not consistently risk-based. The probability of receiving antibiotics for lower respiratory tract or urinary tract infections showed no relation to the patient’s risk of needing hospital admission. For URIs, the connection between antibiotic prescription and hospital admission risk was only described as weak. Furthermore, patients managing multiple chronic health conditions were found to be 7 percent less likely than those without major health issues to receive antibiotics for URIs.
“Antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial infections, but they carry the risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and loss of effectiveness when used inappropriately,” stated lead author Professor Tjeerd van Staa from The University of Manchester. He emphasized the global threat posed by AMR, calling it “one of the biggest threats to global public health.”
Professor van Staa added, “The study finds that antibiotics for common infections are commonly not prescribed according to complication risk and that suggests there is plenty of scope to do more on reducing antibiotic prescribing.”
Dr. Ali Fahmi, also from the University of Manchester, echoed this sentiment, urging “clinicians to focus on improving risk-based antibiotic prescribing for infections that are less severe and typically self-limiting.” The research highlights a critical need to refine antibiotic stewardship, ensuring these vital medications are used judiciously to protect both individual patients and public health from the growing threat of resistance.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information from a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, as reported on April 4th. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
