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Course and complications of influenza A in seniors over 65 years of age
Dalibor Sedláček1, Robin Šín1, Patrik Christian Cmorej2
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen and University Hospital Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Objectives:
Influenza A and B viruses cause epidemics every year, with approximately 3-5 million serious cases and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths worldwide. Most patients die from bacterial complications of influenza. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical pictures of influenza and the development of the complications in seniors over 65 years of age, who were treated in University Hospital Pilsen. The course of the disease and changes in laboratory parameters were evaluated with regard to the method of treatment performed.
Methods:
A descriptive retrospective study was performed. Clinical and laboratory data of seniors with the diagnosis of influenza were extracted from electronic medical records and later analysed. The data were processed with Excel 2016 and Statistica.
Results:
A collection of 261 seniors, of whom 218 were hospitalized and 43 treated in an outpatient setting, has been studied. Patients who later developed complications had elevated values of CRP, procalcitonin, urea, and creatinine. The antiviral drug oseltamivir was administered to 226 of 261 seniors. Forty-seven seniors (18.0%) died from influenza and its complications (severe pneumonia with acute respiratory insufficiency or heart failure).
Conclusions:
The course of influenza in seniors was usually more severe and required hospitalization along with antiviral treatment. The mortality rate in the monitored group exceeded 18%. Annual timely vaccination, but also other preventive measures, and maybe considering other risk groups are methods to prevent severe or even fatal cases of influenza.
Insights
Influenza is severe in seniors, with over 18% mortality in one study. Early antiviral treatment like oseltamivir and prompt medical care are crucial for managing influenza complications in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza epidemics cause significant global morbidity and mortality, with bacterial complications being a leading cause of death.
- Seniors over 65 are a vulnerable population susceptible to severe influenza outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and complications of influenza in seniors.
- To evaluate the course of influenza and laboratory changes in relation to treatment methods in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive retrospective study analyzing clinical and laboratory data of seniors diagnosed with influenza.
- Data extracted from electronic medical records at University Hospital Pilsen.
Main Results:
- A total of 261 seniors were studied; 218 were hospitalized and 43 treated as outpatients.
- Complicated cases showed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, urea, and creatinine.
- The mortality rate among the studied seniors was 18.0%, with deaths attributed to severe pneumonia or heart failure.
Conclusions:
- Influenza in seniors is often severe, necessitating hospitalization and antiviral therapy.
- The high mortality rate underscores the need for preventive strategies.
- Annual vaccination and other preventive measures are vital to reduce severe and fatal influenza cases in seniors.
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