Impact of Zanamivir Treatment on Productivity, Health Status and Healthcare Resource Use in Patients with Influenza

Objective: This study examined the impact of zanamivir treatment on patient morbidity in patients with influenza. Design and setting: This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study conducted in 14 countries in Europe and North America during the winter of 1995/1996. Patients and participants: The study included 722 individuals with virologically confirmed influenza. Interventions: Two different zanamivir treatment regimens [twice daily (bid) or 4 times daily (qid) for 5 days] were compared with placebo. Main outcome measures and results: Efficacy was measured using a number of patient-assessment questionnaires. Results showed that significantly fewer patients with influenza who were treated with zanamivir had additional contacts with healthcare professionals compared with those who received placebo (8 vs 14%; p