Health outcomes among patients receiving oseltamivir.
OBJECTIVE
Oseltamivir was approved by the FDA for the treatment of influenza in 1999. The primary objective was to compare health outcomes among influenza patients who were treated with oseltamivir and those who were not.


METHODS
The patient population included UnitedHealthcare members who received an influenza diagnosis during the 1999-2000 influenza season, divided into those who were dispensed oseltamivir on the same day (N = 3211) and those who were not dispensed oseltamivir (N = 19,985). Cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and respiratory outcomes were assessed from medical claims for a 30-day period.


RESULTS
The adjusted incidence rate ratio for major cardiac outcome was 0.56 (95%CI: 0.34-0.93) in those without a positive history of major cardiac disease, indicating that those in the oseltamivir group tended to be at lower risk of cardiac outcomes than those without oseltamivir. The adjusted incidence rate ratio for major neuropsychiatric outcome was 0.72 (95%CI: 0.53-0.97) in the negative history of neuropsychiatric disease stratum. The incidence rate ratios for respiratory events were more variable.


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be no increased risk of cardiac or neuropsychiatric outcomes among subjects with influenza who were treated with oseltamivir in comparison with those who were not.
Enger
Cheryl
C
Ingenix Epidemiology, Auburndale, MA 02466, USA.
Nordstrom
Beth L
BL
Thakrar
Bharat
B
Sacks
Susan
S
Rothman
Kenneth J
KJ
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D053139:Oseltamivir; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
D000081:Acetamides; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir