Revista española de salud pública
-
Rev. Esp. Salud Publica · Jan 2011
[Characteristics of cases hospitalized for severe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Catalonia].
Influenza pandemics may cause more severe cases. The objective was to determine the characteristics of hospitalized severe cases of pandemic influenza in Catalonia and to study risk factors for admission to intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ This study confirms the high prevalence of pregnancy, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity among pandemic influenza severe cases. Obesity acts as a risk factor for ICU admission and should therefore be considered as an indicator for influenza vaccination.