IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON HOSPITALIZATION FOR INFLUENZA-RELATED
PNEUMONIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Abstract
Introduction. Since the introduction of first measures designed to tame
the COVID-19 pandemic, several speculations have been made about their
simultaneous effect on seasonal influenza. Although social distancing
policies could be effective in mitigating influenza spread, the ultimate
consequences remain unknown. Aim of this study is to evaluate the effect
of COVID-19 pandemic on influenza related-pneumonia in hospitalized
patients. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective analysis
to evaluate the rate of influenza-related pneumonia in current pandemic
year (April 2020 to March 2021), compared to previous five years (April
2015 to March 2020). Analysis was based on the clinical records and
ICD-9 diagnosis code of all adult patients admitted for pneumonia at
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS of Rome. The
diagnosis of pneumonia caused by influenza and by other common
respiratory tract viral infections were assessed. Results. Overall
15,029 (15.2%) hospitalized for pneumonia were considered. Patients’
median age was 76 years [interquartile range 64 – 84); males were
8652 (57.6%). Influenza-related pneumonia almost disappeared in the
2020-2021 (0.0002%) compared previous five years (1.5%). Conversely,
other virus related pneumonia had a similar incidence in both the
evaluated periods. Discussion The present analysis suggests that during
COVID-19 pandemic the cases influenza-related pneumonia was basically
absent among our hospitalized patients. Interestingly, other
virus-related pneumonia showed a countertrend, and the actual incidence
rate was slightly higher than previous five years. Further
investigations are needed to assess the ultimate effect of COVID-19
pandemic on the total trend of influenza and other respiratory tract
infections.