Background::Influenza is a significant public health challenge, characterized by severe disease progression and considerable societal burden. Patients at high risk of influenza-related complications require special attention in routine clinical practice.
Objectives::This study aimed to compare the effects of antiviral treatments for influenza on the incidence of bacterial complications, adverse events, and disease duration in high-risk outpatients.
Design::Multicenter, non-interventional, observational cohort study.
Methods::The study was conducted during the 2023–2024 influenza epidemic season and included 1867 high-risk outpatients treated with oseltamivir, umifenovir, kagocel, or imidazolyl ethanamide pentanedioic acid.
Results::
Bacterial complications occurred in 18.87% (
n
= 335) of high-risk patients, with 17.41% (
n
= 309) requiring antibacterial therapy. The hospitalization rate was 1.24% (
n
= 22), and the average disease duration was 8 days. The incidence of bacterial complications varied among treatment groups: oseltamivir (18.96%,
n
= 102), umifenovir (12.17%%,
n
= 51), kagocel (22.00%%,
n
= 110), and imidazolyl ethanamide pentanedioic acid (22.64%%,
n
= 72). Adverse events were reported in 4.76% (
n
= 84) of patients, most commonly gastrointestinal disorders (91.67%,
n
= 77), followed by allergic reactions (8.33%,
n
= 7). The incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in the oseltamivir group compared to other treatments.
Conclusion::The etiotropic agents oseltamivir and umifenovir demonstrated comparable efficacy in managing influenza in high-risk patients, as reflected by their impact on bacterial complication rates and disease duration. Both drugs may be recommended for the treatment of high-risk influenza patients.