Introduction:

acute pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common diagnoses in pediatrics. To identify a clinical streptoccoccal acute pharyngitis, some predictive clinical scales have been proposed (Centor, Centor modified by McIsaac), but for the etiologic diagnosis, the use of the rapid antigen detection test for streptococcus is recommended. This test has a high sensitivity and specificity and it is easy to apply. Our study aims to determine the use of rapid antigen detection test in pediatric Primary Care in our area of influence.

Material and methods:

we designed a retrospective observational study of all patients of Central Catalonia with the diagnosis of pharyngitis, acute pharyngitis, streptococcal tonsillitis and acute tonsillitis from 1st January 2015 to 31st January 2016.

Results:

12,678 episodes of streptococcal acute pharyngitis have been studied in 10,276 patients. 1274 (10.05%) rapid antigen detection tests were performed. Of them, 47.02% were positive. The modified Centor score was recorded in 1240 patients (9.78%); 6933 patients (53.81%) received antibiotic treatment. 89.67% of these patients had not undergone rapid antigen detection test. Amoxicillin was the most widely used antibiotic.

Conclusions:

we evidenced a low use of rapid antigen detection test and a low register of Centor score. It has been observed an overuse of antibiotics, but the antibiotic used follow the recommendations of the treatment guidelines.

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