Comportamiento temporal del consumo de antibióticos y asociación con variables climatológicas en Santiago de Cali

Objective: To analyze the temporal pattern of antibiotic consumption and its association with climatological variables in Santiago de Cali. Methods: We examined total antibiotic consumption and the use of amoxicillin, azithromycin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, cephalexin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and cefepime. Consumption was estimated from community pharmacy sales between 2010 and 2013, using the defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day) methodology. Monthly and annual consumption were calculated and their association with climatological variables for the same period was assessed using multiple linear regression, retaining statistically significant models and verifying compliance with standard regression assumptions. Results: For total antibiotics, the month with the highest consumption during the study period was March 2011, while December showed the highest weighted consumption, and 2011 was the year with the greatest overall use. Total and drug-specific consumption were associated with mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, visibility and number of days with fog. Conclusion: A distinct consumption pattern was identified for total antibiotics and for each individual agent, which may guide targeted interventions in March and December, the months with the highest use.