14 DAY TRIAL // Extremely obese people infected with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus, had much higher risks of death than others did, a new analysis of a public health surveillance database reported.
Researchers from the California Pandemic (H1N1) Working Group and the Division of Communicable Disease Control, of the California Department of Public Health, in Richmond, California, associated extreme obesity with an almost three-fold increased odds of dying from 2009 H1N1 influenza.
Extremely obese are considered to be people who have a body mass index (BMI) equal to or over 40, and according to study data, half of Californians over the age of 20, hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 virus, were obese.
The investigators looked at data from 500 adults hospitalized with H1N1 in the first four months of 2009 in California, and tested the theory of obesity being a risk factor for increased death risks.
Patients under the age of 20 and pregnant women were excluded from the study.
The data was collected from April 20 to August 11, 2009 by health providers and reported to local health departments, which sent the information to the California Department of Public Health.
During this four-month period, H1N1 accounted for 50% of influenza-like illnesses.
Study author Janice K. Louie, MD, MPH, of the California Department of Public Health said that “extremely obese persons with a body mass index equal to or over 40 should get vaccinated annually for influenza.
“They should also see their health provider early if symptoms of influenza develop, so that they can get diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
“This is especially important if the influenza virus is known to be circulating in the community and causing illness.”
Dr. Louie insisted that more research is needed to understand the reasons for which extremely obese people are more likely to die from the 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.
The current study will be published in the February 1, 2011, issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
The World Health Organization recommended the incorporation of the 2009 H1N1 as part of the 2010–2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.