ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MCISAAC SCORE AND ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING IN SUSPECTED BACTERIAL TONSILLITIS
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Keywords:
Tonsillitis, McIsaac_ScoreMcIsaac_Score, Antibiotic_UseAbstract
Tonsillitis is a common upper respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents. Although most cases are caused by viruses, antibiotics are still frequently prescribed. The McIsaac score is used to estimate the likelihood of group A Streptococcus infection and to support rational antibiotic use, but its application in clinical practice remains variable. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the McIsaac score and antibiotic use in tonsillitis patients. This analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design used retrospective medical record data from RSUD K.R.M.T. Wongsonegoro Semarang from January 2020 to December 2025, with a sample of 97 patients. Most patients were in the moderate McIsaac score category (83.5%). Antibiotics were prescribed in 48.5% of cases, while 45.7% fell into the moderate category. Fisher–Freeman–Halton test results showed no significant relationship between the McIsaac score and antibiotic use (p=0.314). These findings indicate that antibiotic use has not been fully based on McIsaac score assessment, highlighting the need to strengthen the implementation of antibiotic stewardship in clinical practice.
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