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Study: Nearly 5% of hospitalized H1N1 patients died
By QMI Agency
Last Updated: 16th February 2010, 8:31pm
TORONTO - Older people and those with underlying medical conditions were most vulnerable to hospitalization or death because of H1N1, a Canadian study has found.
The study looked at 1,479 patients admitted to hospital with H1N1 between April 26 and Sept. 26, 2009, and found that 48.2% had underlying medical conditions.
Patients with diabetes and heart disease were more likely to be admitted to intensive care, while those with a lung disease, such as asthma, faced the greatest risk of death.
The study found that 72% of patients didn't have a severe outcome; 16% were admitted to the intensive care unit, but survived; and 4.9% died.
The older the patient, the higher the risk.
"On average, patients with a non-severe outcome were younger than those admitted to ICU, who in turn were younger than those who died," the study says.
The median age for all patients was 23. That jumped to 34 for those admitted to intensive care, and 51 for those who died. Patients over 60 were at the greatest risk.
The study also found that getting to the hospital quickly was a factor in preventing death.
Aboriginals suffered a disproportionate number of H1N1 hospitalizations. Of all the patients admitted to hospital over the course of the study, 24% were aboriginal.
"As the pandemic evolves, continued investigation of risk factors for severe outcomes is needed to provide timely evidence to inform the development and updating of clinical and public heath guidelines," the study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, concludes.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/02/16/12905961-qmi.html
By QMI Agency
Last Updated: 16th February 2010, 8:31pm
TORONTO - Older people and those with underlying medical conditions were most vulnerable to hospitalization or death because of H1N1, a Canadian study has found.
The study looked at 1,479 patients admitted to hospital with H1N1 between April 26 and Sept. 26, 2009, and found that 48.2% had underlying medical conditions.
Patients with diabetes and heart disease were more likely to be admitted to intensive care, while those with a lung disease, such as asthma, faced the greatest risk of death.
The study found that 72% of patients didn't have a severe outcome; 16% were admitted to the intensive care unit, but survived; and 4.9% died.
The older the patient, the higher the risk.
"On average, patients with a non-severe outcome were younger than those admitted to ICU, who in turn were younger than those who died," the study says.
The median age for all patients was 23. That jumped to 34 for those admitted to intensive care, and 51 for those who died. Patients over 60 were at the greatest risk.
The study also found that getting to the hospital quickly was a factor in preventing death.
Aboriginals suffered a disproportionate number of H1N1 hospitalizations. Of all the patients admitted to hospital over the course of the study, 24% were aboriginal.
"As the pandemic evolves, continued investigation of risk factors for severe outcomes is needed to provide timely evidence to inform the development and updating of clinical and public heath guidelines," the study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, concludes.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/02/16/12905961-qmi.html