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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4219.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #104424

Epidemiology of Serious Influenza Infections in Cancer Patients

Catherine D. Cooksley, DrPH1, Elenir B. C. Avritscher, MD, MBA/MHA1, and Linda S. Elting, DrPH2. (1) Section of Health Services Research, Department of Biostatistics and Applied Mathematics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 196, Houston, TX 77030, 713-563-4304, ccooksle@mail.mdanderson.org, (2) Section Chief, Health Services Research, Department of Biostatistics and Applied Mathematics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 196, Houston, TX 77030

Background: Influenza infection leads to serious clinical and economic outcomes among immunocompromised hosts. However, information on cancer patients is limited. Methods: We studied a population-based sub-sample of hospitalized cancer patients with principal diagnoses of influenza, bronchopneumonia or pneumonia unspecified organism, which was selected from the 1998-2001 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Among pneumonia cases, we included only random observations equal to the expected number of seasonal excess cases due to influenza for each year and stratum (Fall/Winter - Spring/Summer cases). Adjusted to 2003 dollars, charges were converted to costs using 2003 Medicare cost-to-charge ratios. Subset analyses including ANOVA resulted in weighted sample means and proportions. Results: Annually, nearly 16,000 adult cancer patients were admitted for influenza-related illness. On average, hospitalization lasted nearly a week and cost $6300. Case-fatality rates exceeded 9% overall and exceeded 12% among lung cancer patients. Conclusions: Substantial economic and clinical burden from this preventable infection were observed. Vaccination of patients and their contacts with inactivated influenza vaccine could reduce hospitalizations, costs and deaths in this high-risk population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to