Association Between Baloxavir Marboxil Prescription for Children with Influenza B Infections and Short-Term Healthcare Consumption in Japan During the 2018-2019 Influenza Season.
J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2022;
11:310-315. [PMID:
35417026 DOI:
10.1093/jpids/piac022]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Baloxavir marboxil is an anti-influenza medication that was newly introduced into clinical practice in 2018. Baloxavir might be more beneficial than neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), as suggested by a subgroup analysis of a clinical trial. Although the association between baloxavir prescription and healthcare use pertains mainly to influenza A, few studies have investigated the association in influenza B.
METHODS
We evaluated the healthcare utilization of children (0-15 years old) treated with either baloxavir or NAIs between December 2018 and May 2019 using claims records in Japan. The primary endpoint was the composite of medical resource utilization, including hospitalization, antibiotic use, laboratory tests, radiological images, and fluid replacement therapy, over 1-9 days after antiviral prescription. Secondary outcomes representing each single outcome in the composite were examined. Subgroup analyses comparing baloxavir with each NAI were also performed.
RESULTS
Of 4490 patients with influenza B who received antiviral treatment, 51.6% were male, and the median age was 8 years old. Baloxavir was prescribed for 29.4% of the population, and NAIs were prescribed for 70.6%. In the total cohort, 49.3% of patients had any comorbidity related to complicated influenza infection. Concerning the composite endpoint, baloxavir prescription was not associated with a risk of subsequent medical resource use (adjusted odds ratio 1.11; 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.38; P = 0.34). Secondary outcomes and subgroup analyses showed similar results to the primary outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
In a single-year comparative study in Japan, baloxavir prescription for influenza B was not associated with less healthcare consumption than NAIs within 9 days of treatment.
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