Diagnostic uncertainty leads to overuse of antibiotics in hospitals and out-patient settings, and ultimately contributes to the rising rates of antimicrobial resistance, a major global healthcare challenge.
Another reason for overuse of antibiotics may be diagnostic uncertainty resulting in over-diagnosis of AOM [ 27, 29, 67– 67].
Paradoxically, because of the diagnostic uncertainty there appears to be an overuse of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in women, with a rather low diagnostic yield of obstructive CAD [ 9, 10].
Diagnostic uncertainty in bacterial sepsis is compensated by the overuse of antibiotics in self-limiting infections, leading to antibiotic resistance.
Diagnostic uncertainty is a key driver of drug misuse and overuse.
Diagnostic uncertainty is a key driver of drug misuse and overuse, which can lead to antimicrobial selection pressure and increased rates of resistant microbes (5).
The uncertainty of bacterial infection and the consequent risk of antimicrobial overuse in patients with suspected UTI highlight the usefulness of point-of-care tests allowing clinicians to take evidence-based decisions on whether antimicrobial therapy is needed.
Diagnostic uncertainty, which has been repeatedly recognized as one of the determinants for antibiotic overuse in RTIs [ 3], is perceived by paediatricians in this study as a crucial determinant of inappropriate antibiotic prescription.
63, 74– 77 Remarkably, recently, a few studies have reported a possible overuse of analgesics, particularly paracetamol, in patients with dementia, 68, 78, 79 stressing the clinical difficulties and uncertainties in the assessment of pain in these individuals.
CONTEXT: Overuse injuries are reported to account for nearly 50% of sports injuries and, due to their progressive nature and the uncertainty regarding date of onset, are difficult to define and categorize.
