Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, full text: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]
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Volume 17, Number 9?September 2011
Research
Estimating Effect of Antiviral Drug Use during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Outbreak, United States
Charisma Y. Atkins, Anita Patel, Thomas H. Taylor, Jr., Matthew Biggerstaff, Toby L. Merlin, Stephanie M. Dulin, Benjamin A. Erickson, Rebekah H. Borse, Robert Hunkler, and Martin I. Meltzer
Author affiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (C.Y. Atkins, A. Patel, T.H. Taylor, Jr., M. Biggerstaff, T.L. Merlin, S.M. Dulin, B.A. Erikson, R.H. Borse, M.I. Meltzer); and IMS Health, Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA (R. Hunkler)
Abstract
From April 2009 through March 2010, during the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak, ≈8.2 million prescriptions for influenza neuraminidase-inhibiting antiviral drugs were filled in the United States. We estimated the number of hospitalizations likely averted due to use of these antiviral medications. After adjusting for prescriptions that were used for prophylaxis and personal stockpiles, as well as for patients who did not complete their drug regimen, we estimated the filled prescriptions prevented ≈8,400?12,600 hospitalizations (on the basis of median values). Approximately 60% of these prevented hospitalizations were among adults 18?64 years of age, with the remainder almost equally divided between children 0?17 years of age and adults >65 years of age. Public health officials should consider these estimates an indication of success of treating patients during the 2009 pandemic and a warning of the need for renewed planning to cope with the next pandemic.
-Research
Estimating Effect of Antiviral Drug Use during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Outbreak, United States
Charisma Y. Atkins, Anita Patel, Thomas H. Taylor, Jr., Matthew Biggerstaff, Toby L. Merlin, Stephanie M. Dulin, Benjamin A. Erickson, Rebekah H. Borse, Robert Hunkler, and Martin I. Meltzer
Author affiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (C.Y. Atkins, A. Patel, T.H. Taylor, Jr., M. Biggerstaff, T.L. Merlin, S.M. Dulin, B.A. Erikson, R.H. Borse, M.I. Meltzer); and IMS Health, Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA (R. Hunkler)
Abstract
From April 2009 through March 2010, during the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak, ≈8.2 million prescriptions for influenza neuraminidase-inhibiting antiviral drugs were filled in the United States. We estimated the number of hospitalizations likely averted due to use of these antiviral medications. After adjusting for prescriptions that were used for prophylaxis and personal stockpiles, as well as for patients who did not complete their drug regimen, we estimated the filled prescriptions prevented ≈8,400?12,600 hospitalizations (on the basis of median values). Approximately 60% of these prevented hospitalizations were among adults 18?64 years of age, with the remainder almost equally divided between children 0?17 years of age and adults >65 years of age. Public health officials should consider these estimates an indication of success of treating patients during the 2009 pandemic and a warning of the need for renewed planning to cope with the next pandemic.
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