Impact of zanamivir treatment on productivity, health status and healthcare resource use in patients with influenza. Zanamivir Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the impact of zanamivir treatment on patient morbidity in patients with influenza.


METHODS
This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study conducted in 14 countries in Europe and North America during the winter of 1995/1996.


METHODS
The study included 722 individuals with virologically confirmed influenza.


METHODS
Two different zanamivir treatment regimens [twice daily (bid) or 4 times daily (qid) for 5 days] were compared with placebo.


RESULTS
Efficacy was measured using a number of patient-assessment questionnaires. Results showed that significantly fewer patients with influenza who were treated with zanamivir had additional contacts with healthcare professionals compared with those who received placebo (8 vs 14%; p < or = 0.049, bid and qid vs placebo). Individuals treated with zanamivir also spent fewer days absent from work (placebo: mean = 3.28 days; qid: mean = 2.52 days; p = 0.031) or college/school (placebo: mean = 2.90 days; bid: mean = 2.24 days; p = 0.032), and showed significant improvements in productivity compared with placebo. The health status questionnaire revealed significant improvements in patient well-being over the first 5 days of the study in those treated with zanamivir compared with those who received placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Zanamivir treatment reduced absenteeism, improved patient productivity and well-being, and reduced the additional use of healthcare resources in patients with influenza.
Aoki
F Y
FY
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Fleming
D M
DM
Griffin
A D
AD
Lacey
L A
LA
Edmundson
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006146:Guanidines; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D011714:Pyrans; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053243:Zanamivir
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006146:Guanidines; D011714:Pyrans; D012794:Sialic Acids; D053243:Zanamivir