Open AccessOutpatient influenza antivirals in a distributed data network for influenza surveillance
Author(s) -
Cocoros Noelle M.,
Panucci Genna,
Haug Nicole,
Maher Carmen,
Reichman Marsha,
Toh Sengwee
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12598
Subject(s) - oseltamivir , zanamivir , medicine , medical prescription , public health , emergency medicine , medical emergency , virology , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pharmacology , pathology , disease
Electronic data collected from routine health care can be used for public health surveillance. To examine the Sentinel System, a distributed data network of health plans, as a source for influenza surveillance, we compared trends in outpatient prescription dispensings of influenza antivirals in Sentinel to trends in CDC 's ILIN et and NREVSS systems over five seasons. There were 2 102 885 dispensed prescriptions of oseltamivir capsules, 494 188 of oseltamivir powder, and 7955 of zanamivir. Across all seasons, the magnitude and timing of peaks in drug utilization were highly comparable to those in ILIN et and NREVSS . Oseltamivir capsules and powder were well correlated with ILIN et and NREVSS . This lays the foundation for further exploration of Sentinel's utility for influenza surveillance.