Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India

Sarmi Naskar; Aditi Maitra; Ranit Bag; Sk Sabir Rahaman; Santanu Munshi; Salil Kumar Pal; Quazi Shabnam Waheed

doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

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Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2025; 15(6): 325-330

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India

Sarmi Naskar, Aditi Maitra, Ranit Bag, Sk Sabir Rahaman, Santanu Munshi, Salil Kumar Pal, Quazi Shabnam Waheed.

Abstract
Introduction:
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are common causes of outpatient visits and frequent targets of antibiotic prescriptions, despite their predominantly viral etiology. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly influenced prescribing practices, raising concerns over inappropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated antibiotic prescribing trends among adult ARTI patients during the pandemic in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.

Methods:
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022 at Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata. Data from 148 adult patients were collected using a structured case report form. Patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, and antibiotic prescriptions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to assess associations. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Antibiotics were prescribed in 59.5% of cases, with doxycycline (27.6%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (25.0%) being most common. Monotherapy (72.7%) and short-duration therapy (4–7 days in 62.5%) were predominant. A statistically significant association was found between comorbidities and antibiotic prescription (χ² = 11.56, p = 0.0007), while no significant link was observed with age groups. Patients with hypertension and diabetes were more likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Conclusion:
The high rate of empirical antibiotic use, despite the viral nature of ARTIs, reflects the impact of diagnostic uncertainty and perceived patient risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the urgent need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, clinician education, and integration of rapid diagnostics, especially in future public health emergencies.

Key words: Antibiotic prescription, ARTI, SARS-CoV-2, Antimicrobial resistance, Doxycycline, Eastern India

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Pubmed Style

Naskar S, Maitra A, Bag R, Rahaman SS, Munshi S, Pal SK, Waheed QS. Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2025; 15(6): 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Web Style

Naskar S, Maitra A, Bag R, Rahaman SS, Munshi S, Pal SK, Waheed QS. Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=257140 [Access: June 26, 2026]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Naskar S, Maitra A, Bag R, Rahaman SS, Munshi S, Pal SK, Waheed QS. Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2025; 15(6): 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Naskar S, Maitra A, Bag R, Rahaman SS, Munshi S, Pal SK, Waheed QS. Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2025), [cited June 26, 2026]; 15(6): 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Harvard Style

Naskar, S., Maitra, . A., Bag, . R., Rahaman, . S. S., Munshi, . S., Pal, . S. K. & Waheed, . Q. S. (2025) Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 15 (6), 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Turabian Style

Naskar, Sarmi, Aditi Maitra, Ranit Bag, Sk Sabir Rahaman, Santanu Munshi, Salil Kumar Pal, and Quazi Shabnam Waheed. 2025. Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 15 (6), 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

Chicago Style

Naskar, Sarmi, Aditi Maitra, Ranit Bag, Sk Sabir Rahaman, Santanu Munshi, Salil Kumar Pal, and Quazi Shabnam Waheed. " Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 15 (2025), 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Naskar, S., Maitra, . A., Bag, . R., Rahaman, . S. S., Munshi, . S., Pal, . S. K. & Waheed, . Q. S. (2025) Antibiotic prescribing trends in adult acute respiratory tract infection patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care OPD in Eastern India. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 15 (6), 325-330. doi:10.5455/njppp.2025.v15.i6.5

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