Is COVID-19 finally just a bad flu? Follow-up study comparing disease severity among COVID-19 and seasonal influenza hospital in-patients across pandemic waves in Ireland.
Public Health
; 236: 15-20, 2024 Aug 17.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39154585
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a more severe illness than seasonal influenza in hospitalised cohorts during the early phase of the pandemic. This study's aim was to determine if COVID-19 severity, relative to seasonal influenza, evolved across subsequent disease waves. STUDYDESIGN:
Retrospective population-based cohort study.METHODS:
COVID-19 hospital episodes and seasonal influenza hospital episodes were identified using relevant International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) codes from the Irish national hospitalisation dataset. Descriptive comparative analysis of each group was carried out using Pearson's Chi-squared tests. Length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality were measured and compared using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:
Compared to influenza episodes, COVID-19 episodes for all ages and all waves combined, had a longer mean LOS (15.8 days, vs 11.4 days, P < 0.001); were more likely to receive ICU care (OR 1.24 95% CI 1.15-1.33, P < 0.001) and were more likely to die in hospital (OR 2.61, 95% CI 2.36-2-88). Despite the reduction in the proportion of patients with an intensive care unit (ICU) stay and dying in hospital in Wave 5 compared to the previous waves, the risk of having an ICU admission or dying in hospital remained higher in patients with COVID-19 in Wave 5 compared to those with influenza diagnosis.CONCLUSION:
While the severity of COVID-19 has reduced with successive pandemic waves, it remains a more severe disease than influenza. Despite changes in strain, population immunity, vaccination and treatment, policymakers and the public must continue to approach COVID-19 as more than 'just a bad flu'.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Public Health
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article