Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes between Respiratory s yncytial Virus and Influenza-related Pneumonia in China from 2013 to 2019

Abstract

Background: Differences in the clinical features and outcomes between syncytial virus-related (RSV-p) and influenza-related pneumonia (Flu-p) are largely unknown. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and severity between adults with the two conditions . Methods: A total of 127 patients with RSV-p, 693 patients with influenza A-related pneumonia (FluA-p) and 386 patients with influenza B-related pneumonia (FluB-p) were retrospectively reviewed from 2013 through 2019 in five teaching hospitals in China. Results: A multivariate logistic regression model indicated that age ≥ 50 years, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, solid malignant tumor, nasal congestion, myalgia, sputum production, respiratory rates ≥ 30 beats/min, lymphocytes < 0.8×109/L and blood albumin < 35 g/L were predictors that differentiated RSV-p from Flu-p. After adjusting for confounders, a multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that, relative to RSV-p, FluA-p (OR 2.313 , 95% CI 1.377 - 3.885, p = 0.002) incurred an increased risk for severe outcomes, including invasive ventilation, ICU admission, and 30-day mortality. FluB-p (OR 1.630 , 95% CI 0.958 - 2.741, p = 0.071) was not associated with increased risk. Conclusions: The severity of RSV-p was less than that of FluA-p, but was comparable to FluB-p. Some clinical variables were useful for discriminating RSV-p from Flu-p.