While only 8% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had bacterial co-infections requiring antibiotics, three out of four or some 75% of patients have been treated with antibiotics ‘just in case’ they help, according to a World Health Organization study. Antibiotic use ranged from 33% for patients in the Western Pacific Region, to 83% in the Eastern Mediterranean and the African Regions.
Between 2020 and 2022, prescriptions decreased over time in Europe and the Americas, while they increased in Africa.
The highest rate of antibiotic use was seen among patients with severe or critical COVID-19, with a global average of 81%. In mild or moderate cases, there was a considerable variation across regions, with the highest use in the African Region (79%).
“When a patient requires antibiotics, the benefits often outweigh the risks associated with side effects or antibiotic resistance. However, when they are unnecessary, they offer no benefit while posing risks, and their use contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. These data call for improvements in the rational use of antibiotics to minimize unnecessary negative consequences for patients and populations.”
Dr. Silvia Bertagnolio, WHO Unit Head for Surveillance, Evidence and Laboratory Strengthening, Division for AMR.
Data for the study was collected from some 450,000 patients admitted to hospitals for COVID-19 in 65 countries over a 3-year period between January 2020 to March 2023. The findings are being presented in a WHO scientific poster shared at the ESCMID Global Congress, taking place in Barcelona, Spain on 27-30 April.
The study underscores the urgent need to improve the rational use of antibiotics to minimize unnecessary negative consequences for both patients and populations.