Role of epidemiological risk factors in improving the clinical diagnosis of streptococcal sore throat in pediatric clinical practice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for sore throat in developing countries, that in turn leads to huge healthcare expenditure and their irrational use may lead to antimicrobial resistance in the community. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of environmental factors on the frequency of occurrence of group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) sore throat and to work out enhancing effect on the sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value of the signs and symptoms of GABHS sore throat for facilitation of rational antibiotic use. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, cross sectional study conducted over period of one year in Pediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) of a Tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS: All the children between the age of 5 years and 15 years of age presenting in OPD with the signs and symptoms of sore throat were included in the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was carried out by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software and statistical tests of Pearson's Coefficient, Chi-square Test, Fischer's Test, Likelihood Ratio, Odds Ratio, and ROC Curve were applied. RESULTS: Out of 225 children of the study group, 153 (68%) of the children were in the 5-10 years’ age group. Positive throat swab culture was found to be positively associated with high grade fever, pain in throat while swallowing, severely enlarged tonsils, tender lymphadenopathy, poor housing condition, fuel used for cooking, and presence of smoker in house. CONCLUSIONS: The study stresses on the need of carefully evaluating children presenting with the symptoms of sore throat as majority of the cases may be viral and thus, self-limiting. Poor housing conditions and indoor pollution contribute to the increased prevalence of sore throat.