Incidence of serious respiratory tract infections and associated characteristics in a population exposed to immunosuppressive therapies: a register-based population study.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapies are associated with a risk of infections. Nevertheless, their incidence in this population remains unclear. This study aims to determine the incidence of serious respiratory tract infections (SRI) in a population exposed to immunosuppressive therapies. METHODS: Data from a representative sample of the French healthcare claims from 01/01/2014 to 12/31/2019 were analyzed. Exposure to immunosuppressive therapy was defined by the dispensation of drugs through community pharmacies or in hospitals. SRI diagnosis was based on ICD-10 codes from hospitalization records. A cohort analysis was performed to estimate standardized SRI incidence rates. A nested case-control analysis within this cohort was used to study the characteristics associated with SRI. RESULTS: We identified 24,122 individuals exposed to immunosuppressive therapies, among which 1,559 developed SRI, resulting in a standardized incidence rate of 1,398 per 100,000 person-years. In this population, the risk of SRI was associated with a history of cancer (OR 2.68, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 2.24-3.21; p < 0.001), chronic respiratory disease (2.62, 95%CI 2.17-3.16; p < 0.001), end-stage renal failure (2.38, 95%CI 1.37-4.13; p = 0.003), neurodegenerative diseases (1.52, 95%CI 1.07-2.17; p = 0.026), diabetes (1.44, 95%CI 1.14-1.82; p < 0.001), psychiatric diseases (1.27, 95%CI 1.06-1.52; p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diseases (1.26, 95%CI 1.04-1.52; p = 0.002). Compared to corticosteroids alone, the risk of SRI was lower in individuals treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD) only (0.44, 95%CI 0.25-0.78; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the population exposed to immunosuppressive therapies, a history of chronic disease is associated with an increased risk of SRI. This risk is lower in those receiving csDMARD alone than corticosteroids alone.

Prevalence and bleeding risk associated with the concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants and antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation, based on the French healthcare insurance database.

PURPOSE: Pharmacokinetic interactions exist between apixaban or rivaroxaban, and CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitors such as amiodarone, verapamil and diltiazem. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of exposure to this drug-drug association (DDA) and to assess the bleeding risk associated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: We conducted a cohort study using a representative 1/97th sample of the French healthcare insurance database between 2014 and 2019. Patients with AF receiving apixaban or rivaroxaban were included and followed-up until hospitalization for bleeding, death, discontinuation of apixaban or rivaroxaban, exposure to strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, or until December 31st 2019, whichever came first. Primary outcome was hospitalization for bleeding registered as primary diagnosis. The association between the exposure to the DDA and hospitalization for bleeding was evaluated as a time-dependent variable in Cox model. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2019, the AF population under apixaban or rivaroxaban represented 10,392 patients. During the study period, the annual average prevalence of DDA exposure in this population was 38.9%. Among the 10,392 patients, 223 (2.1%) were hospitalized for bleeding, of which 75 (33.6%) received the association and 148 (66.4%) received apixaban or rivaroxaban alone. There was no association between DDA exposure and risk of hospitalization for bleeding (aHR = 1.19, [95% CI: 0.90, 1.58]). Age (HR 1.03 [1.02, 1.05]) and male gender (HR 1.72 [1.28, 2.30]) were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for bleeding. CONCLUSION: Exposure to antiarrhythmic drugs was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for bleeding in patients with AF under rivaroxaban or apixaban.

Use of tramadol and the risk of bleeding complications in patients on oral anticoagulants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether tramadol intake increases the risk of bleeding in patients receiving oral anticoagulants. METHODS: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO, CRD42022327230. We searched PubMed and Embase up to 14 April 2022, and references and citations of included studies were screened. Comparative and non-comparative studies exploring bleeding complications among adult patients on oral anticoagulants and tramadol were included. Risk of bias was assessed using an adaptation of the Drug Interaction Probability Scale for case reports and case series and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for comparative studies. A meta-analysis was performed for the risk of serious bleeding (leading to hospitalisation or death) associated with tramadol in patients on vitamin K antagonists. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included: 1 case series, 12 case reports, 2 case-control studies and 2 cohort studies. Most of the studies described tramadol-vitamin K antagonists' concomitant use; one case-control study also assessed dabigatran and rivaroxaban; one case report involved dabigatran. Among case reports/series, a total of 33 patients had a bleeding complication while using tramadol and an oral anticoagulant. The 4 comparative studies reported an increased bleeding risk during tramadol and vitamin K antagonist intake which was statistically significant in one study; the pooled risk ratio of serious bleeding was 2.68 [95% CI: 1.45 to 4.96; p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: This systematic review confirms an association between tramadol use and risk of bleeding in patients on vitamin K antagonists. Evidence is too limited to assess whether this risk extends to patients on direct oral anticoagulants, and further studies are needed.

Rapidly adapting primary care sentinel surveillance across seven countries in Europe for COVID-19 in the first half of 2020: strengths, challenges, and lessons learned.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, primary care influenza sentinel surveillance networks within the Influenza - Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness in Europe (I-MOVE) consortium rapidly adapted to COVID-19 surveillance. This study maps system adaptations and lessons learned about aligning influenza and COVID-19 surveillance following ECDC / WHO/Europe recommendations and preparing for other diseases possibly emerging in the future. Using a qualitative approach, we describe the adaptations of seven sentinel sites in five European Union countries and the United Kingdom during the first pandemic phase (March-September 2020). Adaptations to sentinel systems were substantial (2/7 sites), moderate (2/7) or minor (3/7 sites). Most adaptations encompassed patient referral and sample collection pathways, laboratory testing and data collection. Strengths included established networks of primary care providers, highly qualified testing laboratories and stakeholder commitments. One challenge was the decreasing number of samples due to altered patient pathways. Lessons learned included flexibility establishing new routines and new laboratory testing. To enable simultaneous sentinel surveillance of influenza and COVID-19, experiences of the sentinel sites and testing infrastructure should be considered. The contradicting aims of rapid case finding and contact tracing, which are needed for control during a pandemic and regular surveillance, should be carefully balanced.

Effectiveness of complete primary vaccination against COVID-19 at primary care and community level during predominant Delta circulation in Europe: multicentre analysis, I-MOVE-COVID-19 and ECDC networks, July to August 2021.

IntroductionIn July and August 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant dominated in Europe.AimUsing a multicentre test-negative study, we measured COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection.MethodsIndividuals with COVID-19 or acute respiratory symptoms at primary care/community level in 10 European countries were tested for SARS-CoV-2. We measured complete primary course overall VE by vaccine brand and by time since vaccination.ResultsOverall VE was 74% (95% CI: 69-79), 76% (95% CI: 71-80), 63% (95% CI: 48-75) and 63% (95% CI: 16-83) among those aged 30-44, 45-59, 60-74 and ≥ 75 years, respectively. VE among those aged 30-59 years was 78% (95% CI: 75-81), 66% (95% CI: 58-73), 91% (95% CI: 87-94) and 52% (95% CI: 40-61), for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, Spikevax and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, respectively. VE among people 60 years and older was 67% (95% CI: 52-77), 65% (95% CI: 48-76) and 83% (95% CI: 64-92) for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria and Spikevax, respectively. Comirnaty VE among those aged 30-59 years was 87% (95% CI: 83-89) at 14-29 days and 65% (95% CI: 56-71%) at ≥ 90 days between vaccination and onset of symptoms.ConclusionsVE against symptomatic infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant varied among brands, ranging from 52% to 91%. While some waning of the vaccine effect may be present (sample size limited this analysis to only Comirnaty), protection was 65% at 90 days or more between vaccination and onset.

Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults aged 65 years and older in primary care: I-MOVE-COVID-19 project, Europe, December 2020 to May 2021.

We measured COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection at primary care/outpatient level among adults ≥ 65 years old using a multicentre test-negative design in eight European countries. We included 592 SARS-CoV-2 cases and 4,372 test-negative controls in the main analysis. The VE was 62% (95% CI: 45-74) for one dose only and 89% (95% CI: 79-94) for complete vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines provide good protection against COVID-19 presentation at primary care/outpatient level, particularly among fully vaccinated individuals.

Use of the French healthcare insurance database to estimate the prevalence of exposure to potential drug-drug interactions.

PURPOSE: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) require monitoring in an aging population with increasing polypharmacy exposure. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of exposure to potential DDIs using the French healthcare insurance system database, for six DDIs with various clinical relevance: angiotensin II receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ARBs-ACEIs + NSAIDs), antiplatelet agents and NSAIDs (AAP + NSAIDs), serotonergic drugs and tramadol (SD + T), statins and macrolides (S + M), oral anticoagulant and NSAIDs (OAC + NSAIDs), and colchicine and macrolides (C + M). METHODS: We used exhaustive healthcare data from a 1/97th random sample of the population covered by the French health insurance system (EGB) between 2006 and 2016. Exposure to a DDI was defined as overlapping exposure to two interacting drugs. The prevalence of exposure was estimated by year. RESULTS: Prevalence of exposure in 2016 was estimated at 3.7% for ARBs-ACEIs + NSAIDs, 1.5% for AAP + NSAIDs, 0.76% for SD + T, 0.36% for S + M, 0.24% for AOC + NSAIDs, and 0.02% for C + M. In 26% to 58% of episodes of exposure, the two interacting drugs were prescribed by the same physician and dispensed by the same pharmacy the same day. Between 2006 and 2016, the yearly prevalence was increasing for SD + T and for DDIs involving NSAIDs, and it was decreasing for those involving macrolides. CONCLUSION: Exposures to potential DDIs in France are not uncommon with a high proportion resulting from a co-prescription by the same physician. Monitoring the prevalence of exposure to DDIs is needed to implement prevention measures. Administrative data enable this surveillance in large and representative cohorts.

Cross-validation of an algorithm detecting acute gastroenteritis episodes from prescribed drug dispensing data in France: comparison with clinical data reported in a primary care surveillance system, winter seasons 2014/15 to 2016/17.

BACKGROUND: This study compares an algorithm to detect acute gastroenteritis (AG) episodes from drug dispensing data to the validated data reported in a primary care surveillance system in France. METHODS: We used drug dispensing data collected in a drugstore database and data collected by primary care physicians involved in a French surveillance network, from season 2014/15 to 2016/17. We used an adapted version of an AG discrimination algorithm to identify AG episodes from the drugstore database. We used Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate the agreement between weekly AG signals obtained from the two data sources during winter months, in the overall population, by specific age-groups and by regions. RESULTS: Correlations between AG signals for all ages were 0.84 [95%CI 0.69; 0.92] for season 2014/15, 0.87 [95%CI 0.75; 0.93] for season 2015/16 and 0.94 [95%CI 0.88; 0.97] for season 2016/17. The association between AG signals estimated from two data sources varied significantly across age groups in season 2016/17 (p-value < 0.01), and across regions in all three seasons studied (p-value < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong agreement between the dynamic of AG activity estimated from drug dispensing data and from validated primary care surveillance data collected during winter months in the overall population but the agreement is poorer in several age groups and in several regions. Once automated, the reuse of drug dispensing data, already collected for reimbursement purposes, could be a cost-efficient method to monitor AG activity at the national level.

Low 2018/19 vaccine effectiveness against influenza A(H3N2) among 15-64-year-olds in Europe: exploration by birth cohort.

IntroductionInfluenza A(H3N2) clades 3C.2a and 3C.3a co-circulated in Europe in 2018/19. Immunological imprinting by first childhood influenza infection may induce future birth cohort differences in vaccine effectiveness (VE).AimThe I-MOVE multicentre primary care test-negative study assessed 2018/19 influenza A(H3N2) VE by age and genetic subgroups to explore VE by birth cohort.MethodsWe measured VE against influenza A(H3N2) and (sub)clades. We stratified VE by usual age groups (0-14, 15-64, ≥ 65-years). To assess the imprint-regulated effect of vaccine (I-REV) hypothesis, we further stratified the middle-aged group, notably including 32-54-year-olds (1964-86) sharing potential childhood imprinting to serine at haemagglutinin position 159.ResultsInfluenza A(H3N2) VE among all ages was -1% (95% confidence interval (CI): -24 to 18) and 46% (95% CI: 8-68), -26% (95% CI: -66 to 4) and 20% (95% CI: -20 to 46) among 0-14, 15-64 and ≥ 65-year-olds, respectively. Among 15-64-year-olds, VE against clades 3C.2a1b and 3C.3a was 15% (95% CI: -34 to 50) and -74% (95% CI: -259 to 16), respectively. VE was -18% (95% CI: -140 to 41), -53% (95% CI: -131 to -2) and -12% (95% CI: -74 to 28) among 15-31-year-olds (1987-2003), 32-54-year-olds (1964-86) and 55-64-year-olds (1954-63), respectively.DiscussionThe lowest 2018/19 influenza A(H3N2) VE was against clade 3C.3a and among those born 1964-86, corresponding to the I-REV hypothesis. The low influenza A(H3N2) VE in 15-64-year-olds and the public health impact of the I-REV hypothesis warrant further study.

Marked increase in severe neurological disorders after nitrous oxide abuse: a retrospective study in the Greater Paris area.

BACKGROUND: Recreational nitrous oxide (N2O) use has become more widespread worldwide, leading to an increase in myelopathies and peripheral neuropathies. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and socioeconomical characteristics of severe N2O-induced (NI) neurological disorders (NI-NDs), to determine its incidence in the Greater Paris area and to compare it with that of similar inflammatory neurological disorders. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort study of all adult patients with severe NI-NDs in the neurology and general internal medicine departments of the Greater Paris area from 2018 to 2021. The incidence was compared with that of non-NI-myelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) using a sample of 91,000 hospitalized patients sourced from health insurance data. RESULTS: Among 181 patients, 25% had myelopathy, 37% had peripheral neuropathy and 38% had mixed disease. Most were aged between 20 and 25 years, lived in socially disadvantaged urban areas, and exhibited high rates of unemployment (37%). The incidence of NI-NDs increased during 2020 and reached a peak mid-2021. The 2021 incidence in 20-25-year-olds was 6.15 [4.72; 8.24] per 100,000 persons for NI-myelopathy and 7.48 [5.59; 9.37] for NI-peripheral neuropathy. This was significantly higher than for non-NI-myelitis (0.35 [0.02; 2.00]) and GBS (2.47 [0.64; 4.30]). The incidence of NI-NDs was two to three times higher in the most socially disadvantaged areas. CONCLUSION: The recent increase in recreational N2O use has led to a rise in the incidence of severe NI-NDs, particularly in young adults with low socioeconomic status for whom NI-NDs strongly outweigh similar neurological disorders.

Influenza-like illness in individuals treated with immunosuppressants, biologics, and/or systemic corticosteroids for autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease: A crowdsourced cohort study, France, 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND: Influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence estimates in individuals treated with immunosuppressants and/or biologics and/or corticosteroid for an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease are scarce. We compared the ILI incidence among immunocompromised population and the general population. METHOD: We conducted a prospective cohort study during the 2017-2018 seasonal influenza epidemic, on the GrippeNet.fr electronic platform, which allows the collection of epidemiological crowdsourced data on ILI, directly from the French general population. The immunocompromised population were adults treated with systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and/or biologics for an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease, recruited directly on GrippeNet.fr and also among patients of the departments of a single university hospital that were asked to incorporate GrippeNet.fr. The general population consisted of adults reporting none of the above treatments or diseases participating in GrippeNet.fr. The incidence of ILI was estimated on a weekly basis and compared between the immunocompromised population and the general population, during the seasonal influenza epidemic. RESULTS: Among the 318 immunocompromised patients assessed for eligibility, 177 were included. During the 2017-2018 seasonal influenza epidemic period, immunocompromised population had 1.59 (95% CI: 1.13-2.20) higher odds to experience an ILI episode, compared to the general population (N = 5358). An influenza vaccination was reported by 58% of the immunocompromised population, compared to 41% of the general population (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During a seasonal influenza epidemic period, the incidence of influenza-like illness was higher in patients treated with immunosuppressants, biologics, and/or corticosteroids for an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease, compared to the general population.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza A subtypes in Europe: Results from the 2021-2022 I-MOVE primary care multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: In 2021-2022, influenza A viruses dominated in Europe. The I-MOVE primary care network conducted a multicentre test-negative study to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). METHODS: Primary care practitioners collected information on patients presenting with acute respiratory infection. Cases were influenza A(H3N2) or A(H1N1)pdm09 RT-PCR positive, and controls were influenza virus negative. We calculated VE using logistic regression, adjusting for study site, age, sex, onset date, and presence of chronic conditions. RESULTS: Between week 40 2021 and week 20 2022, we included over 11 000 patients of whom 253 and 1595 were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2), respectively. Overall VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 75% (95% CI: 43-89) and 81% (95% CI: 45-93) among those aged 15-64 years. Overall VE against influenza A(H3N2) was 29% (95% CI: 12-42) and 25% (95% CI: -41 to 61), 33% (95% CI: 14-49), and 26% (95% CI: -22 to 55) among those aged 0-14, 15-64, and over 65 years, respectively. The A(H3N2) VE among the influenza vaccination target group was 20% (95% CI: -6 to 39). All 53 sequenced A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses belonged to clade 6B.1A.5a.1. Among 410 sequenced influenza A(H3N2) viruses, all but eight belonged to clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2. DISCUSSION: Despite antigenic mismatch between vaccine and circulating strains for influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09, 2021-2022 VE estimates against circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were the highest within the I-MOVE network since the 2009 influenza pandemic. VE against A(H3N2) was lower than A(H1N1)pdm09, but at least one in five individuals vaccinated against influenza were protected against presentation to primary care with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Incidence of complications of herpes zoster in individuals on immunosuppressive therapy: A register-based population study.

OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster (HZ) exposes to alterations of the quality-of-life. HZ is more frequent in immunocompromised individuals, but whether immunosuppression is associated with a higher rate of complications is not well documented. We aimed to assess association between drug-induced immunosuppression and HZ complications. METHODS: Data from a sample of the French healthcare claims from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2018 were analyzed. Complicated zoster (CZ) was defined as a hospitalization with a code for HZ or the first-time dispensation of high-dose valacyclovir and specific neuralgia analgesics. Drug-induced immunosuppression was identified through medication dispensation. Risk ratios were calculated to compare incidences in exposed individuals (EI) and non-exposed to immunosuppressive therapy (NEI). RESULTS: We identified 227 and 2838 CZ, accounting for an incidence of 178 per 100,000 person-year (95%CI[154.9-201.1]) and 51.7 per 100,000 person-year (95%CI[49.8-53.6]), in EI and NEI, respectively (risk ratio: 3.44 (95%CI[3.01-3.94]). Mean age was 66 years in both groups. CZ occurred after a median of 11.7 months (IQR[5.3-49.9]) of immunosuppressive therapy. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) lasted at least 3 months in 32.6% and 22.5% of cases in EI and NEI, respectively (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-induced immunosuppression increases the risk of CZ and exposes to longer-lasting PHN. Figures provided in this study could help guide prophylaxis of HZ.

Risk of Bleeding Associated With Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use in Patients Exposed to Antithrombotic Therapy: A Case-Crossover Study.

Concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and antithrombotic drug use is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, mainly gastrointestinal. The goal of this study was to quantify the transient increase in the risk of hospitalization for bleeding associated with NSAID use in patients treated with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. We performed a unidirectional case-crossover study using the EGB (Échantillon généraliste de bénéficiaires), a permanent random sample of the French nationwide health database. Patients receiving antithrombotic therapy and hospitalized for bleeding between 2009 and 2017 were included. We compared their NSAID exposure during a 15-day hazard window immediately before hospital admission to 3 earlier 15-day control windows. The risk of hospitalization for bleeding associated with the recent use of NSAIDs was estimated using conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs). During the study period, 33 patients treated with anticoagulants and 253 treated with antiplatelet agents received NSAIDs and were included in the case-crossover analysis. We found an increased risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding after exposure to NSAIDs, with an adjusted OR of 3.59 (95%CI, 1.58-8.17) in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and 1.44 (95%CI, 1.07-1.94) in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. The risk of nongastrointestinal bleeding was also increased after exposure to NSAIDs with an adjusted OR of 2.72 (95%CI, 1.23-6.04) in patients exposed to anticoagulant therapy. The risk of gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal bleeding increases after NSAID use in patients treated with anticoagulants, while the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases, but to a lesser extent in those treated with antiplatelets.

Is the Alpha Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with a Higher Viral Load than the Historical Strain in Saliva Samples in Patients with Mild to Moderate Symptoms?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several generic variants emerged, including the Alpha variant, with increased transmissibility compared to historical strains. We aimed to compare the evolution of the viral load between patients infected with the Alpha variant and those infected with the historical SARS-CoV-2 strains, while taking into account the time interval between the onset of symptoms and samples. We used data collected from patients with an acute respiratory infection (mild to moderate symptoms) and seen in consultation in primary care, included in a prospective longitudinal study, COVID-A. Patients performed four salivary samples during the follow-up. All patients who had at least one of the saliva samples test positive for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the analysis. Overall, 118 patients were included: 89 infected by the historical strain and 29 infected by the Alpha variant. Even though we tended to observe a higher viral load in the Alpha variant group, we found no significant difference in the evolution of the viral load in saliva samples between patients infected with the Alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 and those infected by historical strains when controlling for the time interval between the onset of symptoms and sampling.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies and Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 IgG Neutralizing Activity among Primary Health Care Workers 6 Months after Vaccination Rollout in France.

We aimed to investigate the immunoglobulin G response and neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among primary health care workers (PHCW) in France and assess the association between the neutralizing activity and several factors, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination scheme. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 10 May 2021 and 31 August 2021. Participants underwent capillary blood sampling and completed a questionnaire. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein and the S-1 portion of the spike (S) protein and neutralizing antibodies. In total, 1612 PHCW were included. The overall seroprevalences were: 23.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6-25.7%) for antibodies against the N protein, 94.7% (93.6-95.7%) for antibodies against the S protein, and 81.3% (79.4-83.2%) for neutralizing antibodies. Multivariate regression analyses showed that detection of neutralizing antibodies was significantly more likely in PHCW with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection than in those with no such history among the unvaccinated (odds ratio (OR) 16.57, 95% CI 5.96-59.36) and those vaccinated with one vaccine dose (OR 41.66, 95% CI 16.05-120.78). Among PHCW vaccinated with two vaccine doses, the detection of neutralizing antibodies was not significantly associated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.86-2.07), but was more likely in those that received their second vaccine dose within the three months before study entry than in those vaccinated more than three months earlier (OR 5.28, 95% CI 3.51-8.23). This study highlights that previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the time since vaccination should be considered when planning booster doses and the design of COVID-19 vaccine strategies.

Bisphosphonate Use and Hospitalization for Hip Fractures in Women: An Observational Population-Based Study in France.

Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of women at risk of osteoporotic hip fracture; however, the overall effectiveness of bisphosphonates in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures has not been studied in real life. To investigate whether the use of bisphosphonates in women aged 50 years and over is associated with a decrease in hospitalization for osteoporotic hip fractures, a historical prospective cohort study was conducted between 2009 and 2016 from a permanent representative sample consisting of 1/97 of the French health insurance beneficiaries. Bisphosphonate use was defined according to medication persistence and adherence regarding bisphosphonate dispensations. The primary outcome was the hospitalization rate for osteoporotic hip fracture. Among the 81,268 women included, 2005 were exposed to bisphosphonates. The median time of bisphosphonate exposure was 12 (IQR, 3-29) and 17 (IQR, 5-42) months for the persistence and adherence definitions, respectively. Exposure to bisphosphonates was not associated with a decrease in hospitalization for hip fracture: weighted HRadherence = 0.66 (95% CI, 0.33 to 1.33); HRpersistance = 0.77 (95% CI, 0.38 to 1.57). In real life, bisphosphonate use does not appear to reduce hospitalization for hip fractures, as to date, it is probably prescribed as primary prevention and for a duration too short to be effective.

Are Posterior Oropharyngeal Saliva Specimens an Acceptable Alternative to Nasopharyngeal Sampling for the Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in Primary-Care Settings?

BACKGROUND: The present study was set up to evaluate the efficacy of virological surveillance using posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in general practice. METHODS: Posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples were collected without restriction on timing or alimentation by general practitioners from patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) seen in consultation. Saliva samples were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 and 21 other respiratory pathogens. Results for SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples were compared to results obtained using a nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) collected in a certified medical laboratory before or after the ARI consultation. RESULTS: Overall, 143 ARI patients were enrolled between 6 June 2020, and 19 January 2021. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 37.0% (n = 53) of saliva samples and in 39.0% (n = 56) of NPS. Both saliva and NPS were positive in 51 patients. Positive and negative results were concordant between saliva samples and NPS in 51 (96.2%) and in 85 (94.4%) patients, respectively, with a Cohen's Kappa coefficient of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82-0.97, p < 0.001). Other respiratory viruses were detected in 28.0% (n = 40) of the 143 saliva samples. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that saliva samples could represent an attractive alternative to NPS for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in patients consulting for an ARI in primary care.

Common communicable diseases in the general population in France during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In France, social distancing measures have been adopted to contain the spread of COVID-19, culminating in national Lockdowns. The use of hand washing, hydro-alcoholic rubs and mask-wearing also increased over time. As these measures are likely to impact the transmission of many communicable diseases, we studied the changes in common infectious diseases incidence in France during the first year of COVID-19 circulation. We examined the weekly incidence of acute gastroenteritis, chickenpox, acute respiratory infections and bronchiolitis reported in general practitioner networks since January 2016. We obtained search engine query volume for French terms related to these diseases and sales data for relevant drugs over the same period. A periodic regression model was fit to disease incidence, drug sales and search query volume before the COVID-19 period and extrapolated afterwards. We compared the expected values with observations made in 2020. During the first lockdown period, incidence dropped by 67% for gastroenteritis, by 79% for bronchiolitis, by 49% for acute respiratory infection and 90% for chickenpox compared to the past years. Reductions with respect to the expected incidence reflected the strength of implemented measures. Incidence in children was impacted the most. Reduction in primary care consultations dropped during a short period at the beginning of the first lockdown period but remained more than 95% of the expected value afterwards. In primary care, the large decrease in reported gastroenteritis, chickenpox or bronchiolitis observed during the period where many barrier measures were implemented imply that the circulation of common viruses was reduced and informs on the overall effect of these measures.

Absence of association between 2019-20 influenza vaccination and COVID-19: Results of the European I-MOVE-COVID-19 primary care project, March-August 2020.

BACKGROUND: Claims of influenza vaccination increasing COVID-19 risk are circulating. Within the I-MOVE-COVID-19 primary care multicentre study, we measured the association between 2019-20 influenza vaccination and COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre test-negative case-control study at primary care level, in study sites in five European countries, from March to August 2020. Patients presenting with acute respiratory infection were swabbed, with demographic, 2019-20 influenza vaccination and clinical information documented. Using logistic regression, we measured the adjusted odds ratio (aOR), adjusting for study site and age, sex, calendar time, presence of chronic conditions. The main analysis included patients swabbed ≤7 days after onset from the three countries with <15% of missing influenza vaccination. In secondary analyses, we included five countries, using multiple imputation with chained equations to account for missing data. RESULTS: We included 257 COVID-19 cases and 1631 controls in the main analysis (three countries). The overall aOR between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.66-1.32). The aOR was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.58-1.46) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.51-1.67) among those aged 20-59 and ≥60 years, respectively. In secondary analyses, we included 6457 cases and 69 272 controls. The imputed aOR was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79-0.95) among all ages and any delay between swab and symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that COVID-19 cases were more likely to be vaccinated against influenza than controls. Influenza vaccination should be encouraged among target groups for vaccination. I-MOVE-COVID-19 will continue documenting influenza vaccination status in 2020-21, in order to learn about effects of recent influenza vaccination.