title: Influenza-associated hospitalizations, Singapore, 2004-2008 and 2010-2012.
abstract: Studies of influenza-associated hospitalizations in tropical settings are lacking. To increase understanding of the effect of influenza in Singapore, we estimated the age-specific influenza-associated hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza during 2004-2008 and 2010-2012. The rate of hospitalization was 28.3/100,000 person-years during 2004-2008 and 29.6/100,000 person-years during 2010-2012. The age-specific influenza-associated hospitalization rates followed a J-shaped pattern: rates in persons >75 years of age and in children <6 months of age were >47 times and >26 times higher, respectively, than those for persons 25-44 years of age. Across all ages during these 2 study periods, ≈12% of the hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza were attributable to influenza. The rates and proportions of hospitalizations for influenza, particularly among the very young and the elderly, are considerable in Singapore and highlight the importance of vaccination in protecting populations at risk.
authors.forename: Li Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Vernon Jian Ming
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Wei Wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Tiong
authors.forename: Peng Lim
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Raymond Tzer Pin
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cutter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult