Evaluation of clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with influenza pneumonia

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical and laboratory parameters of the cases diagnosed as influenza pneumonia. Material and Method: The files of the patients treated for confirmed influenza pneumonia either following hospitalization or on an outpatient basis between January 2015 and January 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The cases in whom influenza diagnosis had been confirmed by using multiplex PCR method in samples of nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were included in the study. Results: Thirty cases of pneumonia with confirmed influenza diagnosis were identified during the mentioned period. 70% of the cases were typed as influenza type A and 30% as influenza type B. The most frequently encountered symptoms were fever (70%) and cough (66.7%). Comorbidities were present in 76.7% of the cases. Medical history of the cases revealed diabetes mellitus (30%), hematologic malignancies (23.3%), and cardiovascular disorders (20%). Radiologic assessment was made in 93.3% of the cases and in 56.7% of them, infiltrations were identified in chest X-ray. CRP level was statistically significantly increased in cases with identified infiltration (p: 0.015). Discussion: Influenza pneumonia probability should not be overlooked when fever and cough symptoms are present in cases having chronic cardiopulmonary comorbidity and clinical conditions in which immune system has been affected during the influenza season. Immunization should be considered and recommended in this patient group. Although radiological evaluation is not necessary in every influenza case, radiologic imaging might be required in patients having a clinical course with elevated CRP levels.