Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Utilization Trends in Korea: Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Korea in January 2020, strict public health measures initially influenced antibiotic utilization, with studies showing mixed results. The emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021 led to relaxed measures and a transition to endemicity. Therefore, this study evaluates the impact of both early pandemic measures and subsequent shifts in epidemic control strategies on antibiotic utilization. We performed an interrupted time series analysis of changes in antibiotic utilization patterns over time based on two periods; the first case of COVID-19 in Korea in January 2020, and the number of COVID-19 cases increased rapidly in January 2022. There were immediate decreases in antibiotic utilization with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the period of endemic, a significant upswing in antibiotic utilization was observed. These changes occurred more abundantly in medical institutions other than in tertiary hospitals. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent transition to endemicity significantly influenced antibiotic utilization patterns in Korea.