Influenza-like illness and antimicrobial prescribing in Australian general practice from 2015 to 2017: a national longitudinal study using the MedicineInsight dataset.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the epidemiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) by general practice and patient characteristics, and explore whether sociodemographic variables or comorbidities affect antiviral or antibiotic prescribing.

Design

Open cohort study.

Setting

A representative sample of 550 Australian general practices contributing data to the MedicineInsight programme.

Participants

4 228 149 patients of all age groups who had at least one consultation between 2015 and 2017. Median age was 37 years (Interquartile range: 21-57), 54.4% women, 16.4% aged ≥65 years, 2.2% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 17.6% had a chronic disease and 18.1% a mental health condition.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

ILI consultation rates (per 1000 consultati

SUBMITTER: Bernardo CO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6502062 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature