ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the demographic characteristics and patterns of medication use among patients in fever clinics (FCs) during the COVID-19 outbreak in China and provide information for COVID-19 treatment. Method: Various-grade general hospitals in China were selected, and patient information was extracted during the initial wave of the COVID-19 epidemic. Demographic characteristics were analyzed, including visit time, age, sampling morbidity rate, and disease distribution. Prescription information from the FC database was extracted to analyze drug use and the rationality of the medication. Result: Between September 1 and December 31, 2022, 41,445 patients received treatment at FCs in 11 included hospitals. After the relaxation of COVID-19 control measures, there was a rapid increase in the number of daily patient visits (peaking >1,000 people/day, with a growth rate of 158.8%). The highest sampling morbidity rate was observed among individuals over 85 years old (>100 person-times/million population), followed by children (60-94 person-times/million population). Respiratory system diseases (39,295 cases) were the most diagnosed, with respiratory system infections (21,201 cases) and fever (15,132 cases) the most common. The proportion and frequency of use of essential national drugs were 34.3% and 73.1%, respectively, while those for the drugs recommended in the national COVID-19 treatment guidelines were 6.1% and 43.2%, respectively. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Lianhua Qingwen had the highest frequency of drug use. The most prescribed drugs by cost were immunoglobulin, azivudine, and cefoperazone sulbactam. The water-electrolyte balance regulator drugs, respiratory system drugs, anti-infective drugs, and traditional Chinese patent drugs were the most frequently used. In contrast, immunomodulators, anti-infectives, and Chinese patent drugs had the largest monetary amounts. There was a significant difference in medication rationality between different hospital grades (P<0.001), with tertiary teaching hospitals having the highest rate. Conclusion: Strict epidemic control measures and the role of FCs played a crucial role in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. Patients treated in FCs predominantly suffered from respiratory diseases, with older patients and children identified as high-risk populations. Physicians often choose national guidelines, essential drugs, and traditional Chinese for COVID-19 treatment. Tertiary teaching hospitals played a crucial role during the epidemic outbreak.