Flu and Diabetes
In patients with diabetes
Flu Can Have A Devastating Impact1
Your patients with diabetes are at increased risk of dangerous complications when diagnosed with influenza2-4:
Patients living with diabetes are at increased risk for influenza complications2-4:
~3x (95% CI: 2.04-4.71)
more likely to be hospitalized2
~4x (95% CI: 1.29-14.3)
more likely to be admitted to
the ICU2
Study design2
Subjects:162 patients aged <1 to 85 years
Study period:May 25–July 1, 2009
Study limitations:This study was limited to those with PCR-confirmed influenza A H1N1. Medical history was obtained solely by patient interview.
~2x (95% CI:
1.5-3.6)
more likely to die
after influenza hospitalization
Study
design4
Subjects:196 patients aged 18 and older
Study period:April 29, 2009–March 31, 2010
Study limitations:Underreporting and misclassification of outcome
or risk factors are possible and might conceal the real disease burden. Study period
was during H1N1 pandemic.
74% (95% CI: 2.15-3.74, p
<0.05)< /span>
increase in abnormal glycemic
events5
Study
design:Patient generated health data and medical claims were analyzed
for 167,672 patients aged 18 and older
Study period: 2016–2017 influenza season
Study limitations:The analysis focused on adults with commercial
insurance and does not fully represent older people with diabetes within the United
States or at-risk underserved populations.
The American Diabetes Association® urges eligible individuals aged 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot6:
Protecting against influenza can help your patients with diabetes avoid influenza-related complications, such as hospitalization and death.2-4,7
- Estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States — 2019–2020 flu season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 1, 2021. Accessed November 11, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html
- Allard R, Leclerc P, Tremblay C, Tannenbaum T-N. Diabetes and the severity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:1491-1493.
- Hulme KD, Gallo LA, Short KR. Influenza virus and glycemic variability in diabetes: a killer combination? Front Microbiol. 2017;8:861.
- Wilking H, Buda S, von der Lippe E, et al. Mortality of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in Germany. Euro Surveill. 2010;15. pii:19741.
- Samson SI, Konty K, Lee W, et al. Quantifying the impact of influenza among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a new approach to determine medical and physical activity impact. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2019;15(1):44-52.
- Top health organizations urge flu and COVID-19 vaccines to protect vulnerable, reduce burden on hospitals. American Heart Association. September 27, 2021. Accessed November 11, 2021. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/top-health-organizations-urge-flu-and-covid-19-vaccines-to-protect-vulnerable-reduce-burden-on-hospitals
- Vamos EP, Pape UJ, Curcin V, et al. Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in preventing admission to hospital and death in people with type 2 diabetes. CMAJ. 2016;188(14):E342-E351.
