TY - JOUR T1 - Performance of the case definition of suspected influenza before and during the COVID-19 pandemic JO - Revista Clínica Española T2 - AU - Murillo-Zamora,E. AU - Hernández-Suárez,C.M. SN - 22548874 M3 - 10.1016/j.rceng.2020.09.003 DO - 10.1016/j.rceng.2020.09.003 UR - https://www.revclinesp.es/en-performance-case-definition-suspected-influenza-articulo-S2254887421000436 AB - ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the performance, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, of the case definition of suspected influenza used in community surveillance in Mexico. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study was performed and cases that met the suspected case criteria (n = 20,511) and that had laboratory-conclusive evidence (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) to confirm or discard influenza virus infection were analysed. ResultsA high sensitivity and modest specificity were documented, which later decreased during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as its diagnostic accuracy. However, no significant differences were observed in the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve among the analysed periods. ConclusionsThe evaluated case definition remains to be a cost-effective alternative for identifying patients who may benefit from influenza-specific antiviral drugs, even during the global COVID-19 outbreak. ER -