BACKGROUND:

Influenza is considered a self-limiting disease. However, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it may result in serious outcomes during the flu season.

OBJECTIVES:

The aims of this retrospective study were to explore the characteristics of hospitalized patients with COPD complicated by influenza and determine the factors affecting the prognosis of these patients.

METHOD:

Demographic and clinical data were collected for 278 patients totally from the West China Hospital between January 1, 2016 and February 28, 2018.

RESULTS:

Among the patients with influenza, the positive fungal culture rate, and the rates of antifungal drug and systemic corticosteroids use were higher for those with COPD than for those without COPD. Respiratory failure was more common in patients with influenza and COPD than in patients with influenza only, while the proportion of severe cases was higher among the former than among the latter. Among the patients with COPD, the positive fungal culture rate, particularly for Aspergillus, and the rate of systemic corticosteroids use were higher for those with influenza than for those without influenza. Multivariate analysis revealed that a COPD history of >20 years and smoking for >20 pack-years were independent factors for susceptibility of COPD patients to influenza.

CONCLUSIONS:

Aspergillus infection seems to be more common in patients with influenza and COPD. In addition, COPD complicated by influenza during the seasonal outbreak can easily progress to a severe disease state. Heavy smokers and patients with a prolonged COPD history are more likely to be infected by influenza.