Comparing the correlation between clinical complication of severe influenza infection and body mass index

Background It was well known obese had increased odds for influenza-associated complications and death, but the correlation between the clinical severity such as septic shock, acute renal failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome and body mass index (BMI) was limited. Methods Medical charts were reviewed for all hospitalized adults (⩾18years old) with laboratory-confirmed influenza (defined as positive by specific PCR) in the region of New Taipei city (Northern Taiwan). We analysed the association between BMI and clinical complication (defined as septic shock, acute renal failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome). Result During the period from September 2008 through February 2013, a total of 24 patients were included, with the median age of 50.2years (IQR: 30–74years). Fourteen (58.3%) were admitted to intensive care unit and two (8.3%) died. All fatal cases were associated with bacteraemia at admission. Nine (37.5%) were within the reference BMI range (