Publication date: Sep 01, 2024

Influenza represents a significant global health burden for individuals and society. This study assessed the burden of medically attended influenza at a tertiary medical center in Lebanon to describe the demographics, risk factors, and outcomes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a retrospective review of patients who tested positive for the influenza virus during three seasons between July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019, at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. A total of 2049 patients who tested positive for influenza were analyzed. Influenza A accounted for 79. 6 % of cases, and influenza B for 19. 7 %, with influenza activity starting in October/November and peaking in December/January. Older age above 65 years (AOR=3. 584), obesity (AOR=2. 183), and chronic conditions such as chronic lung diseases (AOR=1. 832), and bacterial co-infection (AOR= 2. 834) were found to be independent risk factors for developing complications. Viral co-infection increased the likelihood of death tenfold. Vaccinated patients had a shorter mean hospital stay duration and a lower intensive care unit admission rate. The burden of medically attended influenza at our tertiary medical center in Lebanon prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was high. Vaccination decreased the likelihood of complications leading to intensive care unit admission in patients at risk.

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