Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lifestyle behaviors and health habits on the risk for acquiring pandemic influenza (H1N1) virus infection. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case-control study in a secondary care hospital in South Korea between November 2009 and August 2010. We enrolled patients with H1N1 infection, as confirmed by a positive result of the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay; for each patient, we enrolled 4 ageand gender-matched controls with no history of H1N1 infection or severe acute respiratory illness during the H1N1 pandemic in South Korea (1:4 match). Results: During the study period, 33 cases and 132 ageand gendermatched controls were enrolled. The case group had a higher percentage of current smokers (p<0.01), fewer subjects reporting regular physical activity (p=0.03), or regular vitamin supplementation (p<0.01), and more subjects reporting a higher annual incidence of the common cold (p=0.048) as compared to the control group. In the multivariable analysis, 2 factors were independently associated with the acquisition of H1N1 infection: current smoking [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=5.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.60-19.16; p<0.01] and a higher annual incidence of the common cold (adjusted OR=1.24; 95% CI, 1.002-1.53; p=0.048). Conclusion: A current smoking status and a history of frequent colds were associated with an increased risk of acquiring H1N1 infection.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 422-427 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Yonsei Medical Journal |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2014 |
Keywords
- H1N1 subtype
- Influenza A virus
- Life style
- Smoking