Date of Award

January 2014

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Forrest Crawford

Abstract

Background Data on the association between obesity and seasonal influenza complications is unclear.

Objectives We explored the association between body mass index (BMI) and the adverse outcomes of artificial ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and X-Ray confirmed pneumonia among patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2012-2013 influenza season.

Methods We used a large, multi-site database with laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization surveillance data to examine the association between obesity and influenza complications. We controlled for various demographic characteristics, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and patient care factors.

Results We explored the association between obesity and three influenza-related complications: artificial ventilation, ICU admission, and X-ray confirmed pneumonia. No association was observed between obesity or morbid obesity and artificial ventilation. The adjusted ORs for obesity and morbid obesity were 1.045 (95% CI: 0.788, 1.386) and 1.033 (95% CI: 0.774, 1.379). No association was observed between obesity or morbid obesity and ICU admission. The adjusted ORs for obesity and morbid obesity were 0.892 (95% CI: 0.741, 1.074) and 0.855 (95% CI: 0.706, 1.036). A significant association was observed between obesity and X-ray confirmed pneumonia. The adjusted OR was 0.795 (95% CI: 0.687, 0.921). No association was observed between morbid obesity and X-ray confirmed pneumonia. The adjusted OR was 0.890 (95% CI: 0.764, 1.037).

Conclusions Our results suggest no association between obesity or morbid obesity and adverse outcomes among patients hospitalized for seasonal influenza.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

Download
Open Access

This Article is Open Access

Share

COinS