Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Goebel, J.
Comparison of clinical presentation and laboratory values at admission between influenza-like disease (influenza PCR negative), PCR or NAAT confirmed influenza A and influenza B cases
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2021. pp. 60
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Flick Holger
- Scheidl Stefan
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Aim: In our scientific thesis, data from patients infected with either influenza like illness, influenza A or influenza B were retrospectively analysed. The data were analysed for demographic data, hospitalization, outcome, medical imaging, clinical presentation, pre-existing medical conditions, physical examination, vital parameters and laboratory values. The aim was to evaluate differences or consistent patterns of the different diseases at first clinical presentation. A special focus was placed on influenza B. Methods: The study is a multicentre, non-randomised and retrospective data collection analysis. We included data from 2 case collectives, one from the winter season in 2009/2010 which included patients infected with influenza-like illness and influenza A. The other case collective was conducted in the winter season 2017/2018 and included patients infected with influenza A and influenza B. Our total patient population included 298 patients infected with influenza like illness, 246 patients with influenza A and 90 patients with influenza B. Due to the demographic distribution, some of the data were conducted with and some without patients under 18 years of age. Results/Conclusion: Firstly, in adults we observed a significant age difference between influenza like illness and the influenza-subtypes. The influenza B group was significantly older than the other groups. Secondly, our data showed that adult patients with influenza-like illness had a higher probability for hospitalization compared to patients infected with the influenza viruses. However, once hospitalised, patients suffering from influenza A we more likely to be transferred and cared for in the ICU than patients with influenza-like illness or influenza B. Adult influenza B patients were older and presumably more comorbid, nonetheless they had a lower hospitalisation rate, a lower intensive care unit admission rate and a lower in-hospital mortality than the younger influenza A patients. Overall influenza B presented as a milder disease, however, annual vaccination with a quadruple vaccine is recommended for patients without contraindications. The influenza B virus should not be discounted, as serious courses may occur.