Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with influenza
(H1N1) during 2018–19 at a tertiary care hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Abstract
Swine-origin influenza (H1N1) virus appeared in 2009 which spread
worldwide, and it still circulates in the population. This study aimed
at exploring the clinical manifestations and results in admitted
patients having H1N1 influenza. All patients with confirmed or suspected
influenza (H1N1) who reported to NWGH & RC, Peshawar, Pakistan from
January 2018 till December 2019 were included in the study. Data was
collected on demographics, preexisting medical conditions, duration of
hospital stay, clinical laboratory data, outcome, and clinical features.
Distribution of variables was assessed using histograms, comparison of
continuous variables was done via independent Student’s t-test and of
categorical variables using Chi Square test. A p value of ≤0.05 was set
as cut-off for significance. A total of 39 patients presented to the
hospital during the study period. Mean age was 52 (15.8) years and the
proportion of male and female participants was 43.6% and 56.4%
respectively. Clinical features included fever, shortness of breath,
cough, chest pain, body aches and sore throat. The most commonly
occurring comorbidities were hypertension [21 (53.8%)], diabetes
[11 (28.2%)], and chronic kidney disease [3 (7.7%)]. Real time
PCR positivity was present in 36 (92.3%) patients. Overall, 30 (76.9%)
survived while 09 (23.1%) died. Comparison of the clinical parameters
of survivors and non-survivors showed that non-survivors had
significantly higher risk of renal failure (p=0.01), ionotropic
disturbances (p=0.001), secondary infection (p=0.03), septic shock
(p=0.001), and respiratory problems, requiring non-invasive ventilation
and invasive mechanical ventilation (p=0.001).