Antibiotic prescription patterns among hospitalized patients with influenza: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral hospital in Iran.

OBJECTIVES

Influenza is a viral infection, and the inappropriate use of antibiotics in its management is a global challenge. This study focused on antibiotic prescription patterns in patients with influenza symptoms and the level of compliance with international guidelines.

METHODS

This retrospective, one-year cross-sectional study included patients with influenza symptoms admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital in Iran. The antibiotic prescription patterns were compared with the recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society. In addition, the effects of antibiotic use on ICU admission, the need for vasopressors and mechanical ventilation, and mortality rates were assessed.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from the hospital records of 102 patients with influenza admitted during the study period. Of these, 92 (89.2%) received antibiotics, whereas only 66 (64.7%) were eligible according to the guidelines. The guideline adherence rate was only 17.6% after evaluating the type, dose, and duration of antibiotic treatment. Our findings showed that regardless of other treatment modalities, timely use of antibiotics in eligible patients was associated with reduced mortality (59.6% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated a tendency toward antibiotic overuse in treating influenza, with clinical practice not adhering to guideline recommendations in most patients. Nevertheless, the timely use of antibiotics in eligible patients was associated with reduced mortality.