Infect Chemother.  2012 Feb;44(1):1-4. 10.3947/ic.2012.44.1.1.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 Infection among Patients with Malignancy in Korea

• Goong HJ
• Seo YR
• Yoon LY
• Kwon SH
• Lee EJ
• Jeon MH
• Kim TH
• Hong DS
• Choo EJ

• KMID: 1782390
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2012.44.1.1

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Patients with malignancy are considered to be at high risk of severe pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009. This study was conducted to identify the severity of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 among patients with malignancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between August 2009 and December 2009, we reviewed clinical data and medical records of 31 patients with malignancy and 63 hospitalized patients without malignancy.
RESULTS
Eighty-three patients with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 were admitted. The rate of ICU admission was higher among patients with malignancy (without malignancy 13% vs with malignancy 35%, P=0.024). The mortality rate was higher among patients with malignancy (without malignancy 6% vs with malignancy 25%, P=0.033). Patients using immunosuppressants showed a higher rate of lower respiratory tract infection (83% vs 24%, P=0.013).
CONCLUSIONS
Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 in patients with malignancy was more severe than in patients without malignancy.

Keyword

Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009; Malignancy

MeSH Terms

Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents
Influenza, Human
Korea
Medical Records
Pandemics
Respiratory Tract Infections
Immunosuppressive Agents

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