Risk of breakthrough infection and hospitalisation after COVID-19 primary vaccination by HIV status in four Italian regions during 2021.

BACKGROUND: As of 2024, vaccination remains the main mitigation measure against COVID-19, but there are contradictory results on whether people living with HIV (PLWH) are less protected by vaccines than people living without HIV (PLWoH). In this study we compared the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 hospitalisation following full vaccination in PLWH and PLWoH. METHODS: We linked data from the vaccination registry, the COVID-19 surveillance system and from healthcare/pharmacological registries in four Italian regions. We identified PLWH fully vaccinated (14 days post completion of the primary cycle) and matched them at a ratio of 1:4 with PLWoH by week of vaccine administration, age, sex, region of residence and comorbidities. Follow-up started on January 24, 2021, and lasted for a maximum of 234 days. We used the Kaplan-Meier estimator to calculate the cumulative incidence of infection and COVID-19 hospitalisation in both groups, and we compared risks using risk differences and ratios taking PLWoH as the reference group. RESULTS: We matched 42,771 PLWH with 171,084 PLWoH. The overall risk of breakthrough infection was similar in both groups with a rate ratio (RR) of 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI):0.80-1.53). The absolute difference between groups at the end of the study period was 8.28 events per 10,000 person-days in the PLWH group (95%CI:-18.43-40.29). There was a non-significant increase the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation among PLWH (RR:1.90; 95%CI:0.93-3.32) which corresponds to 6.73 hospitalisations per 10,000 individuals (95%CI: -0.57 to 14.87 per 10,000). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest PLWH were not at increased risk of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 hospitalisation following a primary cycle of mRNA vaccination.

[Haemophilia B therapy: impact of the reimbursability of a long-acting recombinant factor on pharmaceutical expenditure in Italy]. / Terapia dell'emofilia B: impatto dell'ammissione alla rimborsabilità di un fattore ricombinante long-acting sulla spesa farmaceutica in Italia.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the variability in expenditure compared to 2022 assuming different rates of shifting of therapy days from current active ingredients used for the treatment of haemophilia B to nonacog beta pegolDesign: descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: consumption in the year 2022 (data source: Medicines Utilisation Monitoring Centre, Italian Medicines Agency) of all medicinal products available in Italy containing coagulation factor IX. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: for each active ingredient, the total number of therapy days and the variability in expenditure compared to 2022 were estimated on the basis of a switch of therapy days, between 5% and 20%, to nonacog beta pegol. RESULTS: on the basis of considered scenarios, the analysis shows that the total annual expenditure for clotting factors used in the treatment of haemophilia B could remain at most unchanged or reduced. Particularly, the extent of the reduction in spending could vary from 0.11% to 2.26%. This trend would be in contrast to the stable increase seen in recent years, particularly in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: this predictive spending assessment may be useful in evaluating the economic impact from new treatment options, such as etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy already approved by the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, and to improve pharmaceutical governance.

Anti-dementia drugs: a descriptive study of the prescription pattern in Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and memantine are currently the only anti-dementia drugs (ADDs) approved for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Italy. This nationwide study aims to characterize dementia drug utilization in a population > 65 years, during 2018-2020. METHODS: Different administrative healthcare databases were queried to collect both aggregate and individual data. RESULTS: ADD consumption remained stable throughout the study period (~ 9 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day). AChEI consumption was over 5 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day. Memantine consumption was nearly 4 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day, representing 40% of ADD consumption. The prevalence of use of memantine represented nearly half of ADD consumption, substantially unchanged over the 3 years. Comparing the AD prevalence with the prevalence of ADDs use, the gap becomes wider as age increases. In 2019, the proportion of private purchases of ADDs was 38%, mostly represented by donepezil and rivastigmine. In 2020, memantine was the only ADD with an increase in consumption (Δ% 19-20, 1.3%). DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to investigate the ADD prescription pattern in Italy with a Public Health approach. In 2019, the proportion of ADD private purchases point out several issues concerning the reimbursability of ADDs. From a regulatory perspective, ADDs can be reimbursed by the National Health System only to patients diagnosed with AD; therefore, the off-label use of ADDs in patients with mild cognitive impairment may partially explain this phenomenon. The study extends knowledge on the use of ADDs, providing comparisons with studies from other countries that investigate the prescription pattern of ADDs.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medication use in the older Italian population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyse the impact of the pandemic on the amount of use and new medication dispensation for chronic diseases in the Italian population aged 65 years and older (almost 14 million inhabitants). METHODS: The "Pharmaceutical Prescriptions database", which gathers data on medications, reimbursed by the National Health Service and dispensed by community pharmacies, was employed. Data were analysed as amount of use (defined daily dose-DDD per 1000 inhabitants); variation in DDD between 2020 and 2019 was calculated for the 30 categories with major consumption in 2020. Trends in prevalence and incidence of dispensations between 2020 and 2019 were calculated for four categories: antidiabetics, antihypertensives, antidepressants and drugs for respiratory diseases. RESULTS: All medications showed a negative variation in DDD/1000 inhabitants between 2020 and 2019 except for anticoagulants (+ 5%). The percentage variation ranged from - 27.7% for antibiotics to - 6.4% for antipsychotics in 85 + year-old persons, but increased for most classes in the youngest (65-69 years). On the other hand, a decrease of the dispensation incidence of antidiabetics, antihypertensives, antidepressants and drugs for pulmonary disease was high, especially in the two extreme age groups, the youngest and the oldest one. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Great variation in medication use between 2020 and 2019 was observed probably reflecting the low rate of infectious diseases due to the widespread use of protective devices and self-isolation, reduced healthcare access because of the lockdowns and the fear of going to hospital, and the reduction of screening and diagnostics due to health-care system overload.

Postmarketing active surveillance of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in persons aged 12 to 39 years in Italy: A multi-database, self-controlled case series study.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis and pericarditis following the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines administration have been reported, but their frequency is still uncertain in the younger population. This study investigated the association between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 and myocarditis/pericarditis in the population of vaccinated persons aged 12 to 39 years in Italy. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a self-controlled case series study (SCCS) using national data on COVID-19 vaccination linked to emergency care/hospital discharge databases. The outcome was the first diagnosis of myocarditis/pericarditis between 27 December 2020 and 30 September 2021. Exposure risk period (0 to 21 days from the vaccination day, subdivided in 3 equal intervals) for first and second dose was compared with baseline period. The SCCS model, adapted to event-dependent exposures, was fitted using unbiased estimating equations to estimate relative incidences (RIs) and excess of cases (EC) per 100,000 vaccinated by dose, age, sex, and vaccine product. Calendar period was included as time-varying confounder in the model. During the study period 2,861,809 persons aged 12 to 39 years received mRNA vaccines (2,405,759 BNT162b2; 456,050 mRNA-1273); 441 participants developed myocarditis/pericarditis (346 BNT162b2; 95 mRNA-1273). Within the 21-day risk interval, 114 myocarditis/pericarditis events occurred, the RI was 1.99 (1.30 to 3.05) after second dose of BNT162b2 and 2.22 (1.00 to 4.91) and 2.63 (1.21 to 5.71) after first and second dose of mRNA-1273. During the [0 to 7) days risk period, an increased risk of myocarditis/pericarditis was observed after first dose of mRNA-1273, with RI of 6.55 (2.73 to 15.72), and after second dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, with RIs of 3.39 (2.02 to 5.68) and 7.59 (3.26 to 17.65). The number of EC for second dose of mRNA-1273 was 5.5 per 100,000 vaccinated (3.0 to 7.9). The highest risk was observed in males, at [0 to 7) days after first and second dose of mRNA-1273 with RI of 12.28 (4.09 to 36.83) and RI of 11.91 (3.88 to 36.53); the number of EC after the second dose of mRNA-1273 was 8.8 (4.9 to 12.9). Among those aged 12 to 17 years, the RI was of 5.74 (1.52 to 21.72) after second dose of BNT162b2; for this age group, the number of events was insufficient for estimating RIs after mRNA-1273. Among those aged 18 to 29 years, the RIs were 7.58 (2.62 to 21.94) after first dose of mRNA-1273 and 4.02 (1.81 to 8.91) and 9.58 (3.32 to 27.58) after second dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273; the numbers of EC were 3.4 (1.1 to 6.0) and 8.6 (4.4 to 12.6) after first and second dose of mRNA-1273. The main study limitations were that the outcome was not validated through review of clinical records, and there was an absence of information on the length of hospitalization and, thus, the severity of the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study of about 3 millions of residents in Italy suggested that mRNA vaccines were associated with myocarditis/pericarditis in the population younger than 40 years. According to our results, increased risk of myocarditis/pericarditis was associated with the second dose of BNT162b2 and both doses of mRNA-1273. The highest risks were observed in males of 12 to 39 years and in males and females 18 to 29 years vaccinated with mRNA-1273. The public health implication of these findings should be considered in the light of the proven mRNA vaccine effectiveness in preventing serious COVID-19 disease and death.

Monitoring the community use of antibiotics in Italy within the National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance.

BACKGROUND: In Italy both the consumption of antibiotics and the prevalence of bacterial resistance are higher than in other European countries. In 2017, the first National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR) was adopted in Italy. In response to the PNCAR two national reports on antibiotic use in the human setting have been published. This article's aim is to describe the pattern of antibiotic consumption in the community setting in Italy from 2013 to 2018. METHODS: To analyse the consumption for reimbursed antibiotics dispensed by community pharmacies different data sources were used. Consumption was measured in terms of defined daily dose (DDD), prescriptions or prevalence of use. RESULTS: In 2018, the consumption of antibiotics in Italy amounted to 16.1 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day. The rates of consumption by geographical area were: 12.7 DDD in the north, 16.9 in the centre and 20.4 in the south. The use was greater in the extreme age groups than in the population aged from 20 to 64 years. The consumption was higher in winter season, with high peaks in the incidence of flu syndromes. In the paediatric population, a utilization rate of 1010 prescriptions per 1000 children, with a prevalence of use of 40.8%, was found. CONCLUSION: The study provides useful information on the geographical variability of antibiotic use in Italy to guide decision makers in the introduction of tailored interventions, as suggested by PNCAR, aimed at promoting a more rational use of antibiotics for humans and reducing antimicrobial resistance.

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent hospital admission and death at different time intervals since first dose of COVID-19 vaccine administration, Italy, 27 December 2020 to mid-April 2021.

To assess the real-world impact of vaccines on COVID-19 related outcomes, we analysed data from over 7 million recipients of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose in Italy. Taking 0-14 days post-first dose as reference, the SARS-CoV-2 infection risk subsequently decreased, reaching a reduction by 78% (incidence rate ratios (IRR): 0.22; 95% CI: 0.21-0.24) 43-49 days post-first dose. Similarly, hospitalisation and death risks decreased, with 89% (IRR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09-0.15) and 93% (IRR: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.04-0.11) reductions 36-42 days post-first dose. Our results support ongoing vaccination campaigns.

Adverse events following cannabis for medical use in Tuscany: An analysis of the Italian Phytovigilance database.

AIMS: Despite a significant increase in using cannabis for medical purposes, current evidence on its safety in real-world clinical practice is still poorly characterised. By a case-by-case analysis of spontaneous reports of suspected adverse events (AEs) collected in Tuscany within the Italian Phytovigilance database, the aim of the present study was to describe AEs occurred in patients exposed to medical cannabis. METHODS: We evaluated all reports of cannabis-related suspected AEs collected within the Phytovigilance database up to December 2018. Information regarding cannabis therapy, patient's demographic and clinical characteristics, concomitant medications, AE description according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) classification, AE seriousness and AE outcome, were collected. The causality assessment was performed following World Health Organisation-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria. RESULTS: Fifty-three cannabis-related AE reports were analysed. The majority of patients were females (77.3%), with a mean age of 61.9 years. Thirty-nine (73.6%) cases were defined as nonserious and the majority of them (86.9%) showed a complete resolution or improvement. Forty-six (86.8%) cases were judged as probably related to cannabis consumption. The most frequently reported system organ class was psychiatric and nervous system disorders, and a potential drug-drug interaction was present in 16 cases. CONCLUSION: Cannabis was generally well tolerated and the majority of AEs were mild and transient. Our analysis highlighted important safety issues for clinical practice, in particular the need for an accurate prescription monitoring during the titration phase, particularly in the presence of concomitant medications.

Suspected adverse reactions associated with herbal products used for weight loss: spontaneous reports from the Italian Phytovigilance System.

PURPOSE: Overweight and obesity represent worldwide a rising health problem. In this context, dietary supplements and herbal preparations are often used as self-medication for weight loss. The aim of this study was to describe the safety profile of dietary supplements for weight control by analyzing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ARs) received by the Italian Phytovigilance System, from July 2010 to October 2017. METHODS: The suspected ARs were collected using an ad hoc reporting form, registered in a database at the National Institute of Health and evaluated by a multidisciplinary group of experts. The causality assessment was performed using the WHO-UMC system or the CIOMS/RUCAM score. In case of serious adverse reactions, a feedback is provided to the reporter by e-mail. RESULTS: Sixty-six spontaneous reports were collected. ARs involved cardiovascular system (26%), liver (14%), central nervous system (12%), skin (9%), gastrointestinal system (17%), thyroid (8%), kidney (4%), and other organs/systems (10%). In 64% of cases, the reaction was serious. Dechallenge was positive in 46 cases; three cases of positive rechallenge were reported. After the causality assessment, the association between the product intake and the adverse reaction was judged as possible in the majority of the cases (n = 43; 65%). CONCLUSIONS: The data collected confirmed the existence of safety concerns on herbal dietary supplements used for body weight control, mainly related to quality of products and their use as self-medication. In this scenario, spontaneous reports represent the only tools available to monitor safety of these products.

Patterns and trends of utilization of incretin-based medicines between 2008 and 2014 in three Italian geographic areas.

BACKGROUND: The incretin-based medicines GLP1 analogues (GLP1a) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) are hypoglycaemic agents licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although these drugs possess comparable efficacy and low risk of hypoglycaemia, differences in terms of route of administration (subcutaneous versus oral), effect on body weight and gastrointestinal tolerabily can impact their actual use in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the real-world utilization of incretin-based medicines in the Italian clinical practice. METHODS: A multi-database, population-based, descriptive, cohort study was performed using administrative data collected between 2008 and 2014 from three Italian geographic areas. Subjects aged ≥18 were selected. New users were defined as those with ≥1 dispensing of GLP1a or DPP4i during the year of interest and none in the past. Trends of cumulative annual incidence of use in the general adult population were observed. New users of GLP1a or DPP4i were respectively described in terms of demographic characteristics and use of antidiabetic drugs during 1 year before and after the first incretin dispensing. RESULTS: The overall study population included 4,943,952 subjects. A total of 7357 new users of GLP1a and 41,907 of DPP4i were identified during the study period. Incidence of use increased between 2008 (0.2‰ for both GLP1a and DPP4i) and 2011 (GLP1a = 0.6‰; DPP4i = 2.5‰) and slightly decreased thereafter. In 2014, 61% of new GLP1a users received once-daily liraglutide while 52% of new DPP4i users received metformin/DPP4i in fixed-dose. The percentage of new DPP4i users older than 65 years of age increased from 30.9 to 62.6% during the study period. Around 12% of new users had not received any antidiabetic before starting an incretin. CONCLUSIONS: During the study period, DPP4i rapidly became the most prescribed incretin-based medicine, particularly among older new user. The choice of the specific incretin-based medicine at first prescription appeared to be directed towards those with higher convenience of use (e.g. oral DPP4i rather than subcutaneous GLP1a, once-daily liraglutide rather than twice-daily exenatide). The non-negligibile use of incretin-based medicines as first-line pharmacotherapy for T2DM warrants further effectiveness and safety evaluations to better define their place in therapy.

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Tiotropium Formulations: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The effectiveness of the tiotropium Respimat® formulation in routine clinical practice is still an open issue due to concern about the generalizability of the Tiotropium Safety and Performance in Respimat® (TIOSPIR) trial findings. Our aim was to compare the incidence of acute respiratory events between new users of tiotropium Respimat® and HandiHaler®. The study population comprised patients aged ≥45 years resident in two Italian regions who received a first tiotropium prescription (HandiHaler® or Respimat®) between 1 July 2011 and 30 November 2013. The cohort was identified within the database of drug prescriptions reimbursed by the Italian National Health Service. Clinical outcomes were obtained from hospital records. The primary outcome was the first hospitalization for respiratory events, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, respiratory failure, hypoxemia/hyperventilation and pneumonia, during the exposure period. The hazard ratios were estimated for the propensity score matched groups with Cox regression. After matching, 31,334 patients with incident tiotropium prescriptions were included. Similar incidence rates of the primary outcome between the Respimat® and HandiHaler® users were identified (adjusted hazard ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.84-1.07). No differences emerged in the subgroup analyses conducted according to the baseline characteristics of the tiotropium users. This study confirms the findings observed in the TIOSPIR trial in a more heterogeneous population that included patient subgroups with severe respiratory disease and unstable COPD.

Adverse reactions to dietary supplements containing red yeast rice: assessment of cases from the Italian surveillance system.

AIMS: Red yeast rice (RYR) is contained in dietary supplements for patients with dyslipidemia. RYR supplements contain monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin, a licensed drug with a well-known risk profile. We aim to describe the safety profile of RYR by analysing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ARs). METHODS: Within the Italian Surveillance System of Natural Health Products, suspected ARs were collected and evaluated by a multidisciplinary group of experts to assess causality using the WHO-UMC system or the CIOMS/RUCAM score, for hepatic reactions. The public version of the WHO-Vigibase was also queried. RESULTS: From April 2002 to September 2015, out of 1261 total reports, 52 reports concerning 55 ARs to RYR dietary supplements were collected. ARs consisted in myalgia and/or increase in creatine phosphokinase (19), rhabdomyolysis (1), liver injury (10), gastrointestinal reactions (12), cutaneous reactions (9) and other reactions (4). Women were involved in 70% of cases. In 13 cases, the reaction required hospitalization, and 28 patients were taking other medications. Dechallenge was positive in 40 reactions (73%), rechallenge was positive in 7. Causality resulted as certain (1), probable (31, 56%), possible (18, 34%), unlikely (3) or unassessable (2). Similar distribution emerged from the WHO-Vigibase. CONCLUSIONS: The potential safety signals of myopathies and liver injury raise the hypothesis that the safety profile of RYR is similar to that of statins. Continuous monitoring of dietary supplements should be promoted to finally characterize their risk profile, thus supporting regulatory bodies for appropriate actions.

Triptan use in Italy: Insights from administrative databases.

INTRODUCTION: In this drug utilization study, we aimed at assessing the pattern of triptan use in Italy by means of the drug prescription databases of two local health authorities, accounting for approximately 1 million citizens. METHODS: The study population included all residents aged 18 to 84 years in the Vercelli province (about 175,000 inhabitants) and in the Umbria region (about 885,000 inhabitants), who had at least one dispensation for triptans in 2012. A frequent user, who might be at risk of medication-overuse headache (MOH), was defined as a patient being dispensed at least 10 defined daily doses (DDD) of triptans every month for at least three consecutive months. RESULTS: Triptans were used by 0.7%-1% of the population. While most patients were dispensed fewer than 60 DDDs per year, about 10% of all triptan users were classified as frequent users. In both areas, patients below the age of 29 were less likely to be frequent users while the 40- to 49-year-old population was the most affected, with no sex difference. About two-thirds of frequent users persisted in this behavior for an additional three-month period in the following six months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that approximately 10% of all triptan users in the Italian population are potentially at risk for MOH. An approach based on drug prescription databases could be useful to identify patients at risk for MOH.

The impact of regional co-payment and national reimbursement criteria on statins use in Italy: an interrupted time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their effectiveness is largely acknowledged. The consumption of statins increased four-fold during the 2000-2010 decade in Italy and national and regional control policies were developed. Restrictions to reimbursement were fixed at the national level, whereas co-payment was introduced in some, but not all, regions. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of such policies on the consumption of statins in Italy between 2001-2007 among outpatients. METHODS: The statin use was measured in terms of defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000 inh. day) from May 2001 to December 2007. The study was conducted in 17 out of 21 regions, nine of which had implemented a co-payment policy. Time trends in consumption before and after the introduction of co-payment policies and reimbursement criteria were examined using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time-series, adjusting for seasonal components. RESULTS: The consumption of statins increased by 22.9 DDD/1000 inh. day in May 2001 to 54.7 DDD/1000 inh. day in December 2007. On average, there was a 1.7% increase in statin use each month before the national guideline changed while the increase was about 0.5% afterwards. The revision of the reimbursement criteria was associated with a significant decrease in level (coefficient = -2.80, 95% CI -3.70 to -1.90 p-value <0.001) and trend (coefficient = -0.33, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.29 p-value <0.001). The introduction of co-payment was associated with a significant change in trend of consumption so that the overall use of the drug increased by 0.04 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.07, p-value < 0.001) DDD/1000 inh. day per month in the post-intervention period, but there was no evidence of a change in level of consumption (p-value = 0.163). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of statins in Italy increased almost three-fold during the study period. The restriction to reimbursement Interventions was associated with an immediate drop and a decrease in trend of statin use, while the regional copayment was associated with a small increase in trend of statin use.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccines in patients on hemodialysis: an Italian multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on the national health system of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated patients undergoing haemodialysis. METHODS: From the cohort of vaccinated dialysis patients enrolled in 118 dialysis centres, we calculated hospitalisation incidence in COVID-19-infected subjects. COVID-19-related hospitalisations and ICU admissions were analysed over two time periods (prior to administration of the third dose and following administration of the third dose of vaccine) and adjusted for several co-variates. Using the general population as the reference, we then calculated the Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) of hospitalisation. RESULTS: Eighty-two subjects out of 1096 infected patients were hospitalised (7.5%) and sixty-four hospitalisations occurred among the 824 infected persons after the third dose. Age ≥ 60 years (Adj RR 2.91; 95% CI 1.34-6.30) and lung disease (Adj RR = 2.45; 95% CI 1.32-4.54) were the only risk factors associated with hospitalisation. The risk of ICU admission in the second time period (Time 2) was reduced by 86% (RR = 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.71) compared to the first time period (Time 1). The SIR of hospitalisation (SIR 14.51; 95% CI 11.37-17.65) and ICU admission (SIR 14.58; 95% CI 2.91-26.24) showed an increase in the number of events in dialysis patients compared to the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed that while the second variant of the virus increased infection rates, it was concurrently associated with mitigated severity of infections. Dialysis patients exhibited a higher susceptibility to both COVID-19 hospitalisation and ICU admission than the general population throughout the pandemic.

Post-marketing active surveillance of Guillain Barré Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination in persons aged ≥12 years in Italy: A multi-database self-controlled case series study.

BACKGROUND: Recently published studies have reported association of COVID-19 vaccine ChAdOx1-S (Vaxzevria) with Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS). Less is known about the safety of other COVID-19 vaccines with respect to GBS outcome. This study investigated the association of COVID-19 vaccines with GBS in more than 15 million persons aged ≥12 years in Italy. METHODS: Study population was all individuals aged ≥12 years who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines, admitted to emergency care/hospital for GBS from 27 December 2020-30 September 2021 in Italy. Identification of GBS cases and receipt of at least one dose of mRNA-1273 (Elasomeran), BNT162b2 (Tozinameran), ChAdOx1-S (Vaxzevria) and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) through record linkage between regional health care and vaccination registries. Relative Incidence (RI) was estimated Self-controlled case series method adapted to event-dependent exposure using in the 42-day exposure risk period after each dose compared with other observation periods. RESULTS: Increased risk of GBS was found after first (RI = 6.83; 95% CI 2.14-21.85) and second dose (RI = 7.41; 2.35-23.38) of mRNA-1273 and first dose of ChAdOx1-S (RI = 6.52; 2.88-14.77). Analysis by age found an increased risk among those aged≥60 years after first (RI = 8.03; 2.08-31.03) and second dose (RI = 7.71; 2.38-24.97) of mRNA-1273. The first dose of ChAdOx1-S was associated with GBS in those aged 40-59 (RI = 4.50; 1.37-14.79) and in those aged ≥ 60 years (RI = 6.84; 2.56-18.28). CONCLUSIONS: mRNA-1273 and ChAdOx1-S vaccines were associated with an increased risk of GBS however this risk resulted in a small number of excess cases. Limitations were loss of GBS outpatient cases and imprecision of the estimates in the subgroup analysis due to a low number of events.

Impact of regional copayment policy on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) consumption and expenditure in Italy.

PURPOSE: The continuous growth of antidepressant consumption and expenditure, especially for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has led to the adoption of several policy measures directed toward cost control in Western countries. In Italy, copayment policies have been heterogeneously introduced at a regional level as part of a strategy designed to reduce drug consumption. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether regional copayment policies have affected trends in the consumption of and expenditure for SSRIs from 2001 to 2007. METHODS: The consumption of SSRIs was measured in terms of defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants (DDD/1000) per day from May 2001 to December 2007. Time trends in consumption and expenditure before and after the introduction of copayment policies were examined using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time-series, adjusting for seasonal components. The study was conducted for 17 regions, nine of which had implemented a copayment policy. RESULTS: The overall consumption of SSRIs in Italy increased during the study period, from a monthly consumption of 12.85 DDD/1000 per day in May 2001 to 23.40 DDD/1000 per day in December 2007. The average monthly increase in SSRI use was 0.82 % in regions with a copayment policy versus 0.77 % in regions without a copayment policy (P = 0.329). According to the multivariable analysis, copayment was associated with a 1 % reduction in the monthly growth rate of SSRI consumption (P = 0.01). The impact of copayment on expenditure was statistically significant (P < 0.005) on both the level and the trend, even though the estimate of the effect was negligible. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of copayment policies in Italy affected both the use and expenditure of SSRIs between 2001 and 2007 to only to a minor extent.

[Human papillomavirus vaccine register]. / Il registro del vaccino anti-HPV.

INTRODUCTION: We carried out an active surveillance of common adverse events occurring among women (9 to 26 years old) receiving human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil® and Cervarix®) in 9 Italian Regions. METHODS: Common adverse events occurring in the two weeks following each dose administration were collected using a structured diary. RESULTS: From August 2008 to September 2011, 12,066 immunised women (9,084 receiving Cervarix® and 2,982 Gardasil®) were included in the surveillance for a total of 29,494 administered doses. 53% of women concluded the vaccination cycle (74% with Gardasil® and 47% with Cervarix®). 61% of women experienced an adverse event after the administration of the first dose. The high proportion of adverse events reported is mainly due to the design of the study, since women were requested to report all events occurring after the vaccination; however the majority of events were mild and transient. DISCUSSION: As for all vaccines, and in particular for newly marketed ones, the surveillance of adverse events represents an essential step in the evaluation of a vaccination programme.

Postmarketing observational study on the safety of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 influenza vaccination campaigns in Italy: TheShinISS-Vax|Flu study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of TheShinISS-Vax|Flu study is to examine the association between influenza vaccines and adverse events requiring hospital admission or emergency care during the influenza vaccination campaigns 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 in Italy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a Self-Controlled Case Series multiregional study using linked routinely collected data from regional healthcare databases of the participating regions. Study participants will be persons aged ≥6 months, unvaccinated or who have received influenza vaccine during the influenza vaccination campaigns in the seasons 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 in Italy and who have experienced the outcome of interest for the first time during the study period (1 September 2021-30 June 2022 and 1 September 2022-30 June 2023 for the first and second vaccination campaigns, respectively). Risk periods will be specifically defined for each outcome and further subdivided into periods of 7 days. The exposures will be the first or second dose of the influenza vaccines administered during the two vaccination campaigns. Statistical analysis will be conducted separately for the data of the two campaigns. Exposure risk period will be compared with baseline risk period defined as any time of observation out of the risk periods. The modified SCCS method will be applied to handle event-dependent exposure and mortality and fitted using unbiased estimating equations to estimate relative incidences and excess of cases per 100 000 vaccinated by dose, age, sex and type of vaccine. Calendar period will be included as time-varying confounder in the model, where appropriate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study received the approval from the National ethics committee for clinical trials of public research bodies and other national public institutions (PRE BIO CE n.0036723, 23/09/2022). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and reports in accordance with the publication policies of the Italian National Institute of Health and of the Italian Medicines Agency.