@article{Kurdi_A-2024_177703,
title = {Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilisation and quality of antibiotic use in the primary care setting in England, March 2019-March 2023: a segmented interrupted time series analysis of over 53 million individuals},
author = {Kurdi, A. and Al Mutairi, N. and Baker, K. and Amen, K. and Darweesh, O. and Karwi, H. and Seaton, R. and Sneddon, J. and Godman, B. and Al Balushi, H.},
month = {jun},
year = {2024},
abstract = {Background Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the short-term impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic use in primary care in England, focusing on both its quantity (overuse) and quality (misuse). Research design and methods A population-based segmented interrupted analysis was applied on monthly dispensed antibiotics prescriptions using prescription cost analysis (March/2019-March/2023). Quantity was assessed using number of items dispensed per 1000 inhabitants (NTI) and defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), while quality was evaluated using WHO’s Access Watch Reserve (AWaRe) classification, the proportion of “4C” antibiotics, and percentage of broad- to narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Results Findings indicate 8.6 (17.2%) and 0.4 (2.6%) increase in the NTI and DID, respectively, with a statistically significant uptick in trend noted after the second lockdown (β5) for “total antibiotics” for NTI only (β5=1.6; 95%CI:0.17, 3.1). Quality assessment showed an increase in “Access” antibiotics from 77% in March/2019 to 86% in March/2023; however, COVID-19 had no significant impact on WHO AWaRe classes. Conclusion COVID-19's impact on antibiotic use quality and quantity appeared to be minimal, though an increase in utilisation post-second lockdown coincided with healthcare system recovery. This suggests a nuanced impact of the pandemic, highlighting the importance of continued antimicrobial stewardship.},
journal = {Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy},
publisher = {Taylor and Francis},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2024.2363485},
}
