Characteristics of Medically Attended Influenza Infection Across Age Groups Before the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon

Authors

• Amani Haddara
• Zeina Houry
• Nada Zahreddine
• Mark Atallah
• Celina F Boutros
• Joseph Tannous
• Christian Sadaka
• Sarah Wehbe
• Tamara Kadi
• Ahmad Ibrahim
• Rihab Ahmadieh
• Tala Kardas
• Nadia Soudani
• Habib Al Kalamouni
• Youssef Zgheib
• Noha El Yaman
• Sarah Khafaja
• Mireille Lteif
• Rouba Shaker
• Aia Assaf Casals
• Yolla Youssef
• Nour Youssef
• Zeinab El Zein
• Sarah Chamseddine
• Ahmad Chmaisse
• Magda Haj
• Danielle Fayad
• Shereen Kiblawi
• Imad Isaac
• Hind Anan
• Najwa Radwan
• Rima Hanna Wakim
• Hassan Zaraket
• Souha S Kanj
• Ghassan S Dbaibo

Language

English

Publication Date

9-1-2024

Journal

Journal of Infection and Public Health

DOI

10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102521

PMID

39173555

Abstract

Background: Influenza represents a significant global health burden for individuals and society. This study assessed the burden of medically attended influenza at a tertiary medical center in Lebanon to describe the demographics, risk factors, and outcomes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who tested positive for the influenza virus during three seasons between July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019, at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.

Results: A total of 2049 patients who tested positive for influenza were analyzed. Influenza A accounted for 79.6 % of cases, and influenza B for 19.7 %, with influenza activity starting in October/November and peaking in December/January. Older age above 65 years (AOR=3.584), obesity (AOR=2.183), and chronic conditions such as chronic lung diseases (AOR=1.832), and bacterial co-infection (AOR= 2.834) were found to be independent risk factors for developing complications. Viral co-infection increased the likelihood of death tenfold. Vaccinated patients had a shorter mean hospital stay duration and a lower intensive care unit admission rate.

Conclusion: The burden of medically attended influenza at our tertiary medical center in Lebanon prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was high. Vaccination decreased the likelihood of complications leading to intensive care unit admission in patients at risk.

Keywords

Humans, Lebanon, Influenza, Human, Male, Female, Retrospective Studies, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, COVID-19, Risk Factors, Young Adult, Adolescent, Tertiary Care Centers, Child, Aged, 80 and over, Age Factors, Hospitalization, Child, Preschool, Coinfection, Infant, Influenza B virus, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, Burden, COVID-19 pandemic, Influenza, Lebanon, Seasonality, Vaccination

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Haddara, Amani; Houry, Zeina; Zahreddine, Nada; et al., "Characteristics of Medically Attended Influenza Infection Across Age Groups Before the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 4176.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/4176