Influenza and pneumonia hospitalizations in Ontario: a time-series analysis

Epidemiol Infect. 2004 Dec;132(6):1167-74. doi: 10.1017/s0950268804002924.

Abstract

A comprehensive examination of gender and age-specific influenza and pneumonia hospitalization seasonality is currently lacking. Using population-based data for Ontario, Canada between April 1988 and March 2002 (n = 339,803 hospitalizations), findings from this study revealed clear seasonality [Fisher's Kappa (FK) test = 68.64, P < 0.001; Bartlett's Kolmogorov-Smirnov (BKS) test = 0.68, P < 0.001] with consistent summer troughs and winter peaks for both sexes and all ages combined. The very young (both sexes 0-4 years) demonstrated the strongest seasonality (R2(autoreg) = 0.97) and females aged 10-19 years, the weakest (R2(autoreg) = 0.59). Gender differences were most pronounced in the oldest age groups (80+ years) where females had an average annualized peak rate of 250/100,000 compared to 400/100,000 for males. These findings can contribute to more population-specific prevention strategies and effective resource and service allocation based on seasonal and specific population demands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons
  • Sex Factors