Rising obesity levels causing problems

Rising obesity levels

Rising obesity levels are leading to more problems around the world, however research is now saying that doctors may need to prescribe higher doses of antibiotics to patients as the obesity problem continues to spiral.

They argue that the standard "one-size fits all" dose may not clear infection in larger adults and increases the risk that resistance will develop.

More work is needed to guide GPs on how and when to alter doses, an editorial in The Lancet to accompany the study by doctors from Greece and the US says, the BBC states.

GPs have said that it's an interesting theory, but it may end up being expensive.

Dr Matthew E Falagas and Dr Drosos Karageorgopoulos, of the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences, in Athens, Greece wrote, "We believe that tailoring the dosing of antimicrobial agents in adults to the physical characteristics of individual patients could be an important way to achieve maximum effectiveness and safety of antimicrobial therapy.

"Patients who are obese can no longer be regarded as a small group, and merit special consideration with respect to the appropriate dosing of antimicrobial agents."

Obesity levels

Around one in four adults in England is classified as obese - an increase from 15 percent in 1993.

Two doctors in Greece and the US have argued that given the fact people are getting larger, use of standard doses of antibiotics in all adults, regardless of size, is outdated.

They said how size and even the proportion of body fat a person has, can effect the concentration of antibiotics in the body, potentially reducing how effective they are in larger patients.

And failure to clear an infection because too small a dose is given may raise the risk of resistance - already an increasing problem for doctors.

Likewise, smaller than average patients may get too much drug, and suffer greater side-effects as a consequence.

Guidance and research

An accompanying editorial said dose adjustments could easily be made if research was done to guide doctors in treating obese patients.

Professor Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of GPs said he would encourage "appropriate" antibiotic prescribing and lots of patients are given them unnecessarily.

Adding, "Patients are getting taller and larger and it does seem right that patients are given the appropriate strength of drug. However, this might cost a lot of money because pharmaceutical companies would have to provide different doses of medication.

"At the moment, most come in two strengths and we would not want to see an increase in costs."

He added that GPs will already use their judgment to alter medication doses where necessary.

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