Risk of developing pneumonia and other complications from influenza-like infection in patients treated with oseltamivir
The use of oseltamivir in influenza reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of this viral infection and reduces the incidence of pneumonia and other influenza effects.
Clinical studies on the effectiveness of the use of oseltamivir in influenza have shown that the use of the drug reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of this viral infection. In addition, the use of oseltamivir reduces the incidence of pneumonia and other effects of the flu.
The objective of a retrospective cohort study by a group of scientists led by BL Nordstrom has started an analysis of the course and frequency of complications in patients with acute respiratory infections (flu-like illness) with or without treatment with oseltamivir. The United States health insurance claims database was chosen as the source of information. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) with a diagnosis of influenza-like illness and the appointment of oseltamivir; 2) with a diagnosis of flu-like syndrome, but without prescribing treatment with antiviral drugs; 3) with the appointment of oseltamivir, but without diagnosis of influenza-like illness. During the initial visit, the following data were assessed: demographic indicators, prescription of drugs, concomitant diseases and vaccination.
Estimated results included the diagnosis of pneumonia, administration of an antibacterial drug, or hospitalization within 30 days of the diagnosis of influenza or the appointment of oseltamivir.
It turned out that the risk ratio for the first group compared to the second, concerning the development of pneumonia, was 0.72, the prescription rate of antibiotics was 0.89 and the rate of 0.74 hospitalization (Table 1). For the third group of patients, there was no significant difference compared to the first concerning the risk of developing evaluated results.
Thus, the risk of developing pneumonia, prescribing antibiotics and hospitalizing was lower in patients in the first group than in patients in the second group. This data is based solely on information obtained from the medical insurance claims database and is not confirmed by information from patient medical records.
The study authors believe that using oseltamivir reduces the risk of developing pneumonia, prescribing antibiotics, and hospitalizing patients with influenza-like illness.
In a number of randomized controlled trials, the use of oseltamivir with influenza has been shown to reduce the development of complications from this viral infection by 50% (pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and otitis media). In addition, a review of 10 clinical studies found that the use of this medication was associated with a 55% reduction in the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections, a 27% decrease in the frequency of prescribing antibiotics and a 59% decrease in hospitalizations for one reason or another. The study, the results of which are presented above, draws two main conclusions. First, vaccination remains the preferred method of preventing influenza, but many patients are not vaccinated and, moreover, once every ten years, there is a problem of mismatch between the strain used in vaccines and the strain to be vaccinated. the origin of the epidemic, which considerably reduces the effectiveness of vaccination. Second, the information presented in this study is quite important in quantitative terms, but less impressive in qualitative terms compared to the results of controlled studies. One of the conditions in controlled trials was the start of treatment within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. In addition, according to the results of controlled studies, it has been shown that the best results are obtained if treatment is started as soon as possible within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Presumably, this study, where the timing of the drug was not specified, reflects trends in the use of oseltamivir in clinical practice.