TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical characteristics of influenza A H1N1 versus other influenza-like illnesses amongst outpatients attending a university health center in Oman
AU - Al-Mahrezi, Abdulaziz
AU - Samir, Nafisa
AU - Al-Zakwani, Ibrahim
AU - Al-Muharmi, Zakaria
AU - Balkhair, Abdulla
AU - Al-Shafaee, Mohammed
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - Objectives: To identify the clinical characteristics of outpatients with flu-like illnesses stratified by influenza A H1N1 status. Methods: The study was conducted at the H1N1 staff clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. The population consisted of university students and university/hospital staff and their family members. All adult patients who presented to the H1N1 clinic with an influenza-like illness over a 4-month period (from August until the end of November 2009) were included. Real-time reverse transcriptase (rRT) PCR was used for the diagnosis of H1N1 influenza. Demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms, history of exposure to H1N1, history of recent travel, and co-morbid conditions were documented. Analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Results: Out of the 2318 patients identified, 27% (n= 616) were positive for H1N1 influenza. The mean temperature in the H1N1-positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group (38.3 °C vs. 37.2 °C; p< 0.001). Proportions of patients who reported cough, sore throat, headache, myalgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, exposure to a confirmed case of H1N1, and a history of travel were significantly higher in the H1N1-positive group as compared to the swab-negative group. However, the multivariable logistic model identified only the following significant predictor variables of H1N1 infection: younger age, fever (≥37.8 °C), sore throat, myalgia, diarrhea, and exposure to a confirmed H1N1 case within the last 7 days. Conclusions: This study provides useful data on the clinical characteristics of H1N1 influenza in a large outpatient population from the Middle East. Patients who tested positive for H1N1 were more likely to have fever, sore throat, diarrhea, and myalgia compared to those with other influenza-like illnesses.
AB - Objectives: To identify the clinical characteristics of outpatients with flu-like illnesses stratified by influenza A H1N1 status. Methods: The study was conducted at the H1N1 staff clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. The population consisted of university students and university/hospital staff and their family members. All adult patients who presented to the H1N1 clinic with an influenza-like illness over a 4-month period (from August until the end of November 2009) were included. Real-time reverse transcriptase (rRT) PCR was used for the diagnosis of H1N1 influenza. Demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms, history of exposure to H1N1, history of recent travel, and co-morbid conditions were documented. Analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Results: Out of the 2318 patients identified, 27% (n= 616) were positive for H1N1 influenza. The mean temperature in the H1N1-positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group (38.3 °C vs. 37.2 °C; p< 0.001). Proportions of patients who reported cough, sore throat, headache, myalgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, exposure to a confirmed case of H1N1, and a history of travel were significantly higher in the H1N1-positive group as compared to the swab-negative group. However, the multivariable logistic model identified only the following significant predictor variables of H1N1 infection: younger age, fever (≥37.8 °C), sore throat, myalgia, diarrhea, and exposure to a confirmed H1N1 case within the last 7 days. Conclusions: This study provides useful data on the clinical characteristics of H1N1 influenza in a large outpatient population from the Middle East. Patients who tested positive for H1N1 were more likely to have fever, sore throat, diarrhea, and myalgia compared to those with other influenza-like illnesses.
KW - Clinical characteristic
KW - H1N1
KW - Influenza-like illness
KW - Oman
KW - Real-time reverse transcriptase
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.02.015
DO - 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.02.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 22521779
AN - SCOPUS:84862556298
SN - 1201-9712
VL - 16
SP - e504-e507
JO - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
JF - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
IS - 7
ER -