Certain types of bacteria responsible for causing urinary tract infections, the second most-common infection in the United States, are becoming more difficult to treat with current antibiotics, according to new research from Extending the Cure, a project of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy.
Using an index that tracks antibiotic resistance over time, researchers found that the available arsenal of drugs used to treat UTIs are losing their overall effectiveness, with the overall share of resistant bacteria increasing by more than 30 percent between 1999 and 2010. Other key findings from their research include the following:
• Since 1999, the percentage of antibiotic prescriptions filled nationwide has dropped by 17 percent. However, there is wide geographic variation, with residents in Appalachian and Gulf Coast states taking twice as many antibiotics per capita as people living in Western states.
• In 2010, the five states with the highest rates of antibiotic use in the nation were Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
• In 2010, the five states with the lowest antibiotic use in the nation were Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington.
Using an index that tracks antibiotic resistance over time, researchers found that the available arsenal of drugs used to treat UTIs are losing their overall effectiveness, with the overall share of resistant bacteria increasing by more than 30 percent between 1999 and 2010. Other key findings from their research include the following:
• Since 1999, the percentage of antibiotic prescriptions filled nationwide has dropped by 17 percent. However, there is wide geographic variation, with residents in Appalachian and Gulf Coast states taking twice as many antibiotics per capita as people living in Western states.
• In 2010, the five states with the highest rates of antibiotic use in the nation were Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
• In 2010, the five states with the lowest antibiotic use in the nation were Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington.
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