The impact of altitude on hospitalization and hospital mortality from pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pneumonia in Mexico

Salud Publica Mex. 2013 Jan-Feb;55(1):92-5. doi: 10.1590/s0036-36342013000100013.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of altitude of residence on influenza A (H1N1).

Materials and methods: We analyzed 207 135 officially notified of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases, 23 048 hospitalizations and 573 deaths during the first months of the novel pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus, to examine if residents of high altitude had more frequently these adverse outcomes.

Results: Adjusted rates for hospitalization and hospital mortality rates increased with altitude, probably due to hypoxemia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Altitude*
  • Child
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza, Human / complications*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult