ABSTRACT
Background: The clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of H1N1 influenza cases in Bahrain have not been reported
Objective: To evaluate personal and clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes in adults with confirmed H1N1 infection
Setting: Salmaniya medical complex, Bahrain
Design: A retrospective observational study
Method: All H1N1-confirmed-patients admitted between 1 September 2015 and 31 March 2016 were reviewed. Personal and clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes were documented. The analyses were performed using STATA software, version 12 and P-value of <.05 was considered significant
Result: Twenty-six confirmed H1N1 cases were admitted and reviewed. Eight [30.7%] were admitted to the intensive care unit and 5 [19.2%] died. None of the patients received flu vaccine.The age range was 24 to 83 years.The presence of comorbid conditions and smoking were common among the study population; however, it was not statistically significant. A significant association was discovered between mortality and the need for vasopressors [all patients requiring vasopressors died compared to only one among other patients, P-value<.005]
Conclusion: In our study of the flu season of 2015-2016, 5 patients died. We recommend vaccination, especially for high risk groups. The study is limited by the small study-population size and one missing file