Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of influenza pneumonia patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Objective: To determine the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of influenza pneumonia patients in tertiary care hospital, Karachi Pakistan.Study design: A cross-sectional study.Place and duration of study: The Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan from January 2013 to December 2018. Methodology: All adult patients who were older than 18 years and suspected to have viral pneumonia were included in the study. Data were abstracted on 105 patients and were entered on preformed proforma after reviewing the files of patients.Results: Ninety-four (89.5%) patients were influenza positive and 15.2% (n=16) had been vaccinated. Around 92.4% (n=97), 81.9% (n=86) and 61.9% (n=65) patients had cough, fever and shortness of breath, respectively; and 63.8% (n=67), 16.2% (n=17), and 2.9% (n=3) patients had consolidation, nodules, and cavitation, respectively. Almost 91.4% (n=96) patients were given treatment and discharged home; however, 7.6% (n=8) died. Procalcitonin, creatinine, HCO3 , lactate, and bilirubin level were increased in 2nd group (mortality group) after 48 hours; however, the results were only significant for HCO3 (p = 0.035).Conclusion: Influenza pneumonia is very common in our population and older people are more likely to be affected by this disease. Patients can be prevented from adverse outcomes and complications, if diagnosed and treated in time