Comparing Clinical Characteristics of Influenza and Common Coronavirus Infections using Electronic Health Records.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To better understand the impact of common coronaviruses, we compared outcomes in inpatients and outpatients, pre-COVID19, who were infected with either coronavirus or influenza.

Methods

Using de-identified EHR data from the Geisinger-Regeneron DiscovEHR partnership, we compared patients with confirmed RT-PCR positive tests for the four common coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) or influenza (A and B) performed from June 2016 to February 2019.

Results

Overall, 52,833 patients were tested for coronaviruses and influenza viruses. For patients >=21 years old, 1,555 and 3,991 patient encounters had confirmed positive coronavirus and influenza tests, respectively. Both groups had similar ICU admission rates (7.2% vs. 6.1%, p=0.12), though patients with coronavirus had significantly more pneumonia (15% vs. 7.4%, p<0.001) and a higher death rate within 30 days of testing (4.9% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001). After controlling for other covariates, coronavirus infection still had a higher risk of death and pneumonia than influenza (OR 1.64 and 2.05, p<0.001), with no significant difference in ICU admission rates.

Conclusions

Common coronaviruses cause significant morbidity, with potentially worse outcomes than influenza. These findings may help identify a subset of patients who are more susceptible to poor outcomes from common coronavirus infections and may help plan clinical interventions in patients with suspected infections.

SUBMITTER: Li D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7797744 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature