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Published on: September 19, 2025
Effect of influenza on functional decline
Pedro L Gozalo1, Aurora Pop-Vicas, Zhanlian Feng
1Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. pedro_gozalo@brown.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|June 26, 2012
Summary
Influenza significantly impacts nursing home residents, causing declines in daily activities and increasing infections. Further research on influenza vaccination is recommended to prevent these adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Nursing home (NH) residents are a vulnerable population susceptible to influenza complications.
- Understanding the clinical impact of influenza on NH residents is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between influenza and declines in activities of daily living (ADL).
- To examine the relationship between influenza and other clinical indicators in NH residents.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, longitudinal study analyzed data from 2,351 NHs across 122 U.S. cities (1999-2005).
- Included long-stay NH residents (>90 days).
- Assessed city-level influenza mortality, state-level influenza severity, and quarterly incidence of ADL decline (≥4 points), weight loss, pressure ulcers (PUs), and infections.
Main Results:
- Influenza mortality and severity correlated with increased rates of ADL decline, weight loss, worsening PUs, and infections.
- No significant association was found with restraint use, antipsychotic use, or persistent pain.
- Influenza was linked to an additional 12,284 cases of large ADL decline annually and 29,753 new infections among NH residents.
Conclusions:
- Influenza imposes a substantial clinical and economic burden on nursing home residents.
- The findings underscore the importance of influenza prevention strategies in NH settings.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of influenza vaccination in mitigating ADL decline and other clinical outcomes in this population.
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