title: Intensity of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Deaths: A Correlation Study in Louisiana, 2000-2012.
abstract: Influenza infection has been linked to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with chronic disease, such as congestive heart failure (CHF). This correlation analysis used influenza surveillance data and vital statistics mortality data to assess the correlation between influenza-like illness (ILI) and CHF deaths in Louisiana from 2000-2012 on a weekly level and at the seasonal level. The correlation between ILI proportion and mean number of deaths for the entire study period was 0.23. The comparisons made at the seasonal level showed some association between season's intensity and CHF mortality. The clinical implication of this study is that ILI surveillance can be used to issue alert to clinicians who treat CHF patient in order to stress measures aimed at preventing deaths from CHF.
authors.affiliation: A MPHTM Candidate, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Rotation.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: LaSyone
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Office of Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hand
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Office of Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section.
authors.forename: Raoult C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ratard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality*; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012621:Seasons