In a nutshell
The authors analyzed the risk of influenza associated with diabetes.
Some background
Influenza, commonly called the ‘flu’, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system including the nose, throat and lungs. Chronic diseases such as diabetes can increase the risk of experiencing influenza. Indeed, adults with diabetes are often prioritized for influenza vaccination when resources are scarce. However, studies to support this prioritization are scarce.
The authors of this study aimed to perform a study of the population to test the association between diabetes and influenza in working-age adults (<65 years of age).
Methods & findings
This study included 56,513 adults with diabetes and 110,202 non-diabetic subjects who were used as controls. Patients with diabetes were more likely to have made more physician visits and to have been vaccinated against influenza.
Compared to similar adults without diabetes, those with diabetes had a 6% greater increase in hospitalizations associated with influenza.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that working-age adults with diabetes appear more susceptible to serious influenza-attributable illness.
What’s next?
If not vaccinated, you should talk to your doctor about receiving the influenza vaccination.
Published By :
Diabetologia
Date :
Feb 15, 2014
I refused to have a “flu-jab” last year, as the amount of mercury, hidden under the name “thimerosol” exceeds the W.H.A’s limits by a HUGE number of times. I also gather that, as a whole it was also ineffective in a lot of cases.