Abstract
We compared clinical presentation, complications as well as the outcome in patients with influenza A(H1N1) and seasonal influenza pneumonia.
The group of patients with influenza A(H1N1) pneumonia consisted of 75 patients. Fifty two patients with pneumonia associated with seasonal influenza were included for comparison.
Patients with pneumonia associated with novel H1N1 influenza were younger (mean 39.7 versus 69.6 years) and had less chronic comorbidities and alcoholism. Infiltrates were more extensive and frequently interstitial. Respiratory failure was more frequent (Pa,O2/FIO2 <200 28 versus 12%, p=0.042), leading to a higher rate of intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation (29.3 versus 7.7%, p<0.0030 and 18.7 versus 2%, p<0.0045). Mortality was double as high in patients with novel H1N1 (12% versus 5.8%, p=0.238) even not significantly, and was attributable to pneumonia in most instances (77.8% versus 0, p=0.046).
Younger age, less comorbidity, more extensive radiographic extension and more severe respiratory compromise and intensive care unit admission are key features of clinical presentation of patients with novel H1N1 associated pneumonia compared to seasonal influenza pneumonia
- ERS