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Age as risk factor for death from pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Chile

Jeannette Dabanch1, Cecilia Perret, Manuel Najera

  • 1Universidad de los Andes Military Hospital, Santiago, Chile.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|July 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The 2009 H1N1 pandemic disproportionately impacted older adults in Chile. Individuals over 60 faced a significantly higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus caused widespread illness globally.
  • Understanding the specific impact on different age groups is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the hospitalization and mortality rates associated with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in Chile.
  • To identify key risk factors for severe outcomes, particularly death.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of hospitalization data during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in Chile.
  • Statistical evaluation of hospitalization rates and risk factors for severe disease and death.

Main Results:

  • The overall hospitalization rate for pandemic H1N1 influenza in Chile was 0.56%.
  • Individuals over 60 years of age experienced a significantly higher hospitalization rate of 3.47%.
  • Advanced age (>60 years) was identified as the primary risk factor for fatal outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • The 2009 H1N1 pandemic posed a substantial threat to the elderly population in Chile.
  • Age over 60 years was a critical determinant for severe disease progression and mortality, irrespective of other health conditions.

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