[Effect of influenza and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinations on elderly with chronic obstructive...

Objective: To explore the effect of influenza and 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccinations on symptom-improvement among elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods: Data was gathered from 4 communities in 3 National Demonstration Areas set for comprehensive prevention and control of chronic non- communicable diseases in Chongqing city and Ningbo city respectively, from November 2013 to October 2014. The communities were selected by cluster sampling and divided into 4 groups: (1) injected influenza vaccines; (2) injected with pneumococcal vaccines; (3) received both of the two vaccines; (4) the control group that without any intervention measures. All the subjects aged from 60 to 75 were selected to fill in demographic information questionnaire and receive (COPD assessment test, CAT) scores twice, before intervention and 1 year after the vaccination. SAS 9.4 software was used to analyze the change of symptoms and CAT scores before and after the intervention program and comparing the improvement on symptoms among the elderly people under study. Results: A total of 1 244 subjects with nearly same baseline conditions after the propensity score matching, were involved in this study. CAT scores appeared as Median=21 (IQR: 17-26) at baseline. The CAT scores appeared as Median=18 (IQR: 14-24), decreasing in all the 3 vaccinated groups, one year after the intervention program (influenza vaccines, matching t test, t=-6.531, P=0.403; pneumococcal vaccines, Wilcoxon test, H=-9 623, P<0.001; combined vaccine vaccines, matching t test, t=-10.803, P<0.001). However, in the control group, no obvious change was observed (Wilcoxon H=1 167, P=0.403). Proportions of impacts at high or very high levels all decreased in the 3 intervention groups, while little change was observed in the control group. Outcomes from the Factorial analysis suggested that influenza vaccination could improve the general conditions and symptoms including cough, chest tightness, dyspnea, physical activities, and stamina. Pneumococcal vaccination appeared more effective on all of symptoms and indicators. Conclusion: Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination seemed helpful for elderly people suffering COPD to improve the general health condition.