Antibiotics and the Human Microbiome: A Survey of Prescribing Clinicians' Knowledge and Opinions Regarding the Link between Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis and Immune-Mediated Disease.

WILSON, MATTHEW H.; MELLO, MICHAEL J.; GRUPPUSO, PHILIP A.

Altered composition or function of the human microbiome, termed dysbiosis, has been associated with a variety of immune-mediated diseases. Antibiotic use is a well-studied cause of dysbiosis. We conducted an electronic survey of 351 antibiotic-prescribing clinicians in Rhode Island to evaluate antibiotic prescription patterns, knowledge and opinions regarding the importance of the human microbiome and its relation to antibiotics and the immune system. We found that clinicians view the health of the human microbiome as important when prescribing antibiotics; however, they do not feel well-informed or confident in their knowledge about the microbiome or its relevance to patient health. A higher level of selfreported knowledge about the microbiome was associated with increased importance placed on the microbiome and its relevance to medical practice. Our results indicate that clinicians may benefit from continuing medical education on the link between antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and immune-mediated disease.

RHODE Island; MEDICAL personnel; HUMAN microbiota; DYSBIOSIS; ANTIBIOTICS; MEDICAL practice; IMMUNOLOGIC diseases; PRESCRIPTION writing

Rhode Island Medical Journal, 2021, Vol 104, Issue 7, p59

0363-7913

Academic Journal