title: Treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors for critically ill patients with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) antiviral drugs can shorten the duration of uncomplicated influenza when administered early (<48 hours after illness onset) to otherwise healthy outpatients, but the optimal timing of effective therapy for critically ill patients is not well established.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed California surveillance data to characterize the outcomes of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) treated with NAIs for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1). Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records, using standardized case report forms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 3 April 2009 through 10 August 2010, 1950 pH1N1 cases hospitalized in ICUs were reported. Of 1859 (95%) with information available, 1676 (90%) received NAI treatment, and 183 (10%) did not. The median age was 37 years (range, 1 week-93 years), 1473 (79%) had ≥1 comorbidity, and 492 (26%) died. The median time from symptom onset to starting NAI treatment was 4 days (range, 0-52 days). NAI treatment was associated with survival: 107 of 183 untreated case patients (58%) survived, compared with 1260 of 1676 treated case patients (75%; P ≤ .0001). There was a trend toward improved survival for those treated earliest (P < .0001). Treatment initiated within 5 days after symptom onset was associated with improved survival compared to those never treated (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NAI treatment of critically ill pH1N1 patients improves survival. While earlier treatment conveyed the most benefit, patients who started treatment up to 5 days after symptom onset also were more likely to survive. Further research is needed about whether starting NAI treatment >5 days after symptom onset may also convey benefit.
authors: California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy., Richmond, CA 94804, USA. Janice.louie@cdph.ca.gov
authors: Janice K
authors: JK
authors: Louie
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Yang
authors: Meileen
authors: M
authors: Acosta
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Yen
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Samuel
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Schechter
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Guevara
authors: Timothy M
authors: TM
authors: Uyeki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents