Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Seasonal Influenza Virus Infection in Hospitalized Patients in Mashhad, Iran, 2009-2017: A Retrospective Study

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. Arian 1
K. ketabi 2
S. Alimohammadi 3
Z. nehbandani 4
A. tavanaee 5
A. bojdi 5
H. bahrami taghanaki 6
S. aeen 7
A. Rahimian 8
S. nezami 9
A. Javadi Torshizi 1
1 MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of MedicalSciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of MedicalSciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Faculty of medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
4 3. Deputy of health, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
5 Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
6 Department of Chinese and Complementary Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7 school of nursing and midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
8 School of nursing and midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
9 kosar clinical research development unit, Alborz university of medical science, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Abstract:

Objective: Despite the availability of effective vaccines and antiviral treatments, influenza remains a significant cause of hospitalizations and mortality globally. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with seasonal influenza in two referral centers in northeastern Iran.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 58 patients with a mean age of 45 who tested positive for seasonal influenza via PCR. These patients were hospitalized at Imam Reza and Qaem hospitals between 2009 and 2017. Data were collected using a standardized checklist and analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Non-normally distributed data were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test, while qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test, with Fisher's exact test applied when necessary.

Results: Among the 58 influenza-infected patients, 37 (67.2%) survived, 18 (32.7%) died, and 6 (10.9%) were discharged at their own request. Influenza A subtypes identified included H1N1 (15.7%) and H3N2 (23.6%), with 60.5% remaining untyped. Antiviral drug administration did not significantly correlate with hospital mortality. However, initiating antiviral treatment within the first 48 hours did influence mortality outcomes. Patient age, influenza virus type, and subtype showed no significant relationship with hospital mortality.

Conclusion: The study highlights concerning clinical outcomes and hospital mortality rates among patients diagnosed with seasonal influenza. Given the preventable nature of influenza and the challenges in managing these patients, there is an urgent need to enhance physician awareness, particularly among specialists. Emphasizing timely diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is critical, especially during peak influenza seasons.

Keywords

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Pathobiology Reserach
Volume 28, Issue 2
March 2025
Pages 27-34