title: Hospitalization by pneumonia and influenza in the 50-64 year old population in Spain (1999-2002).
abstract: This epidemiological survey was undertaken to estimate the burden of hospital admissions for pneumonia and influenza in 50-64 years old persons in Spain during a four-year period (1999-2002). Data were obtained from the national surveillance system for hospital data maintained by the Ministry of Health and covering more than 95% of Spanish hospitals. There were 35,620 hospital admissions for pneumonia and influenza (ICD 9 CM 480-487; first listed diagnosis) during the study period. Annual incidence was 143 cases per 100,000 population. Rate of death and case-fatality rate were 8 per 100,000 population and 5.6%, respectively. The average length of hospitalization was 10.4 days. Men and older age groups showed a higher incidence, rate of death and case-fatality rate. These hospitalizations of 50-64 years old persons impose an annual direct cost of 12 to 24 millions euros. Preventive measures, such as vaccination will reduce pneumonia-related morbidity and could result in large cost savings to the Health Care System.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. angel.gil@urjc.es
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Itziar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oyagüez
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonz Lez
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors