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Published on: July 26, 2019
Weekly antibiotic prescribing and influenza activity in Sweden: a study throughout five influenza seasons
Frida Ganestam1, Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg, Katarzyna Grabowska
1Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents and Surveillance of Resistance (STRAMA), Solna, Sweden.
Abstract:
Influenza often leads to bacterial complications that require treatment. It may also be confused with bacterial respiratory infections, leading to unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. In this first study on the relationship between influenza and antibiotic utilization for a whole country, weekly data on verified influenza cases in Sweden were compared to weekly sales of antibiotics for 5 influenza seasons 1997-2002. The peak of influenza activity occurred during the winter. In 4 out of the 5 monitored influenza seasons it occurred in February-March. The fluctuation of antibiotic utilization was relatively constant over the years with peaks before Christmas and in February-March. There were no obvious differences in the total amount of antibiotics dispensed over the years that could be related to influenza activity, but a coincidental relationship between the peaks of diagnosed influenza cases and the peaks of antibiotic utilization was indicated, especially for older age groups.
Insights
This study examined influenza and antibiotic use in Sweden. While overall antibiotic sales remained constant, peaks in diagnosed influenza cases coincided with antibiotic utilization peaks, particularly in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza frequently causes bacterial infections, necessitating antibiotic treatment.
- Influenza can be misdiagnosed as bacterial respiratory infections, leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between verified influenza cases and antibiotic utilization across Sweden.
- To analyze trends over five influenza seasons (1997-2002).
Main Methods:
- Comparison of weekly verified influenza case data with weekly antibiotic sales data.
- Analysis conducted for a whole country (Sweden) over five influenza seasons.
Main Results:
- Influenza activity peaked in winter, often in February-March.
- Antibiotic utilization showed consistent peaks before Christmas and in February-March.
- No clear link between overall influenza activity and total antibiotic sales was found, but peaks in diagnosed influenza cases coincided with antibiotic use peaks, especially in older age groups.
Conclusions:
- A coincidental relationship exists between peaks in diagnosed influenza and antibiotic utilization, particularly in older populations.
- This suggests potential for improved antibiotic stewardship during influenza seasons.
