Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Oct 5, 2024 4:57:50 GMT
Differences in COVID-19 Outpatient Antiviral Treatment Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years by Age Group — National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, United States, April 2022–September 2023 - Published Oct 3, 2024
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Older adults are at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19, with risk increasing with age. Outpatient antiviral treatment is effective at reducing these risks.
What is added by this report?
Fewer than one half of adults aged ≥65 years with an outpatient COVID-19 diagnosis received a recommended COVID-19 antiviral medication, including 48% among adults aged 65–74 years, 44% among those aged 75–89 years, and 35% among those aged ≥90 years. Among patients with severe outcomes, 21% had received an outpatient COVID-19 antiviral, compared with 47% of patients without severe outcomes.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Lower prevalence of outpatient antiviral treatment in the oldest age groups highlights the continued need to improve COVID-19 antiviral use by increasing awareness and testing, and facilitating early treatment in these groups.
Abstract
Adults aged ≥65 years experience the highest risk for COVID-19–related hospitalization and death, with risk increasing with increasing age; outpatient antiviral treatment reduces the risk for these severe outcomes. Despite the proven benefit of COVID-19 antiviral treatment, information on differences in use among older adults with COVID-19 by age group is limited. Nonhospitalized patients aged ≥65 years with COVID-19 during April 2022–September 2023 were identified from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network. Differences in use of antiviral treatment among patients aged 65–74, 75–89, and ≥90 years were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between age and nonreceipt of antiviral treatment. Among 393,390 persons aged ≥65 years, 45.9% received outpatient COVID-19 antivirals, including 48.4%, 43.5%, and 35.2% among those aged 65–75, 76–89, and ≥90 years, respectively. Patients aged 75–89 and ≥90 years had 1.17 (95% CI = 1.15–1.19) and 1.54 (95% CI = 1.49–1.61) times the adjusted odds of being untreated, respectively, compared with those aged 65–74 years. Among 12,543 patients with severe outcomes, 2,648 (21.1%) had received an outpatient COVID-19 antiviral medication, compared with 177,874 (46.7%) of 380,847 patients without severe outcomes. Antiviral use is underutilized among adults ≥65 years; the oldest adults are least likely to receive treatment. To prevent COVID-19–associated morbidity and mortality, increased use of COVID-19 antiviral medications among older adults is needed.
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Older adults are at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19, with risk increasing with age. Outpatient antiviral treatment is effective at reducing these risks.
What is added by this report?
Fewer than one half of adults aged ≥65 years with an outpatient COVID-19 diagnosis received a recommended COVID-19 antiviral medication, including 48% among adults aged 65–74 years, 44% among those aged 75–89 years, and 35% among those aged ≥90 years. Among patients with severe outcomes, 21% had received an outpatient COVID-19 antiviral, compared with 47% of patients without severe outcomes.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Lower prevalence of outpatient antiviral treatment in the oldest age groups highlights the continued need to improve COVID-19 antiviral use by increasing awareness and testing, and facilitating early treatment in these groups.
Abstract
Adults aged ≥65 years experience the highest risk for COVID-19–related hospitalization and death, with risk increasing with increasing age; outpatient antiviral treatment reduces the risk for these severe outcomes. Despite the proven benefit of COVID-19 antiviral treatment, information on differences in use among older adults with COVID-19 by age group is limited. Nonhospitalized patients aged ≥65 years with COVID-19 during April 2022–September 2023 were identified from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network. Differences in use of antiviral treatment among patients aged 65–74, 75–89, and ≥90 years were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between age and nonreceipt of antiviral treatment. Among 393,390 persons aged ≥65 years, 45.9% received outpatient COVID-19 antivirals, including 48.4%, 43.5%, and 35.2% among those aged 65–75, 76–89, and ≥90 years, respectively. Patients aged 75–89 and ≥90 years had 1.17 (95% CI = 1.15–1.19) and 1.54 (95% CI = 1.49–1.61) times the adjusted odds of being untreated, respectively, compared with those aged 65–74 years. Among 12,543 patients with severe outcomes, 2,648 (21.1%) had received an outpatient COVID-19 antiviral medication, compared with 177,874 (46.7%) of 380,847 patients without severe outcomes. Antiviral use is underutilized among adults ≥65 years; the oldest adults are least likely to receive treatment. To prevent COVID-19–associated morbidity and mortality, increased use of COVID-19 antiviral medications among older adults is needed.