Evaluation of clinical and para-clinical parameters related to disease severity and mortality in patients with influenza in Isfahan, Iran; a cross sectional study

Introduction: Managing influenza (flu) due to its rapid transmission is a considerable challenge for the health system. Considering the variety of clinical symptoms in influenza and recognizing its symptoms in different conditions of patients can be effective in its management. Objectives: In the present cross-sectional study, we evaluate the relationship between clinical and para-clinical findings and the treatment measures observed at the time of hospitalization of influenza patients and their conditions at the time of discharge from the hospital. Patients and Methods: Our investigation was conducted from March 2019 to March 2021 in Alzahra hospital of Isfahan, Iran. The research population included influenza patients admitted to the infectious ward. Results: A total of 122 hospitalized influenza patients (n=122) were included in this research. The number of patients with influenza A and B was 44 and 78, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the type of influenza and the patient’s condition upon discharge (P=0.001). Influenza vaccination (P<0.001), diabetes (P=0.038), and cardiovascular disease (P=0.004) were significantly associated with the patient’s condition at discharge. According to our investigation, among the drugs used, oseltamivir significantly reduced mortality in patients receiving it (P<<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the variables of all chest radiology and the patient’s condition at the time of discharge (P<0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference between the length of hospital stay (P=0.001), the number of white blood cells (P=0.001), the number of platelets (P=0.006), and the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.001) with the patient’s condition upon discharge. Conclusion: Among the comorbidities studied, diabetes and cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with mortality in patients with influenza. Vaccination significantly reduces mortality from influenza in high-risk patients. The antiviral drug oseltamivir is recommended as a useful drug for patients with the influenza. However, a multi-center study with larger sample size is necessary for a more conclusive result.