Impact of antiviral therapy on short‐ and long‐term outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after influenza infection

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory complications often accompany influenza in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this retrospective study, we quantified the impact of antiviral therapy on exacerbations, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and costs in patients with COPD across 5 influenza seasons.MethodsUsing claims data from US MarketScan® databases, we identified patients with COPD who had an influenza diagnosis during the 2012–2016 influenza seasons. Patients who received a neuraminidase inhibitor within 48 h of diagnosis (N = 4134) were identified and propensity score–matched 1:1 to a comparator cohort of untreated patients. We determined COPD‐ and pneumonia‐related HRU and costs during month 1, each subsequent quarter, and months 2–13.ResultsAntiviral‐treated patients had a significantly lower frequency of COPD‐related outcomes than untreated patients during all periods (exacerbations: 10.4% vs 18.2% [month 1] and 17.7% vs 24.2% [months 2–13]; inpatient visit: 2.5% vs 7.9% [month 1] and 3.8% vs 6.7% [months 2–13]; P < 0.0001, all comparisons). Treated patients also had significantly lower outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits beyond month 1. Pneumonia‐related inpatient, ED, and outpatient visits were significantly lower in antiviral‐treated patients than in untreated patients over all periods (P < 0.0001, all comparisons). In all HRU categories, COPD‐ and pneumonia‐related costs were significantly lower in treated patients over all periods (month‐1 ED visit costs were higher).ConclusionsAntiviral treatment in patients with COPD and influenza is associated with significantly lower HRU and costs in the postinfection month and for an entire year following infection compared with untreated patients.