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. 2016 Jul;10(4):340-5.
doi: 10.1111/irv.12385. Epub 2016 Mar 29.

Estimating the burden of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths in Central America

Miguel A Descalzo  1 , Wilfrido Clara  2 , Guiselle Guzmán  3 , Ricardo Mena  4 , Julio Armero  5 , Bredy Lara  6 , Carlos Saenz  7 , Anabela Aragón  1 , Rafael Chacón  1 , Nathalie El-Omeiri  8 , Jairo Méndez-Rico  8 , Mauricio Cerpa  8 , Rakhee Palekar  8   9 , Jorge Jara  1 , Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner  9
Affiliations

Estimating the burden of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths in Central America

Miguel A Descalzo et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: Our objective was to estimate the incidence of influenza-associated hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths in Central American Region.

Design and setting: We used hospital discharge records, influenza surveillance virology data, and population projections collected from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to estimate influenza-associated hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths. We performed a meta-analysis of influenza-associated hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths.

Main outcome measures: The highest annual incidence was observed among children aged <5 years (136 influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100 000 persons).

Results: Annually, 7 625-11 289 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 352-594 deaths occurred in the subregion.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that a substantive number of persons are annually hospitalized because of influenza. Health officials should estimate how many illnesses could be averted through increased influenza vaccination.

Keywords: America; burden of disease; hospitalizations; influenza; meta-analysis; mortality; multiplier model.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of samples testing positive for influenza by type/subtype in Central America. Bars represent the number of SARI cases samples processed in surveillance. Lines represent the percentage of samples testing positive for influenza. Each line represents a different type/subtype of virus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Incidence of influenza‐associated hospitalizations by age‐groups in five Central American countries during 2009–2012. Dots represent estimates of influenza‐associated hospitalizations by country and year per 100 000 persons. Diamonds represent overall meta‐analysis estimate of influenza‐associated hospitalizations using random‐effects analysis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Incidence of influenza‐associated deaths by age‐groups in five Central American countries during 2009–2012. Dots represent estimates of influenza‐associated deaths by country and year per 100 000 persons. Diamonds represent overall meta‐estimate of influenza‐associated deaths using random‐effects analysis.
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