Impact of COVID-19 on corticosteroids and antibiotics prescribing in England: an interrupted time series analysis. (5th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chalitsios, Christos V; McKeever, Tricia M; Langley, Tessa E; Shaw, Dominick E
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 43:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 517
• Page End: 520
• Publication Date: 2021-02-05
• Subjects: antibiotics -- COVID-19 -- inhalers -- prednisolone -- prescribing; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), prednisolone and antibiotics all play a crucial role in the management of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse whether the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic affected prescribing rates, as public health measures were implemented to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Monthly practise-level prescribing data published by NHS Digital were analysed. At the point, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic, ICS prescriptions rose significantly. This was followed by a decrease in ICS and prednisolone prescribing in the following months. There was no difference in the antibiotic prescribing trend.