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 cutoff 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). Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with influenza (H1N1) during 2018-19 at a tertiary care hospital,