BMJ  2004;328 (29 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7451.0-c

Individual patient data reveal antibiotic resistance

Individual patient data have added value for research on the outcome of prescribing. Analysing data on 166 000 patients from 28 general practices in the Tayside region, Donnan and colleagues (p 1297) found significant variation in the prevalence of trimethoprim resistance (26-50% of bacteria isolated) and trimethoprim prescribing (67-357 prescriptions per 100 practice patients) among practices. Resistance was associated with age, sex, and individual-level exposure to trimethoprim or to other antibiotics within the previous six months but not with practices' overall prescribing patterns. Anonymised individual data facilitate research and protect confidentiality, says Wilson (p 1300) in a commentary, and a proper legal framework is needed for the use of anonymisation techniques.

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