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Obesity may lead to severe complication in H1N1 infected patients
by Camilla Abad - July 11, 2009 - comments
Despite the findings of the study, scientists are still at a loss on how obesity leads to severe complications of H1N1
Atlanta, July 11: Obesity may predispose an individual infected with the H1N1 or swine flu virus to severe complications and even death, stated a report released on Friday.
The report, published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly report on death and disease stated that obese H1N1 flu patients without any previous health conditions may be at risk of developing severe complications such as multiple organ failure and blood clots.
Obese H1N1 patients
Health officials cited the cases in a Michigan hospital as basis of their report. Seven out of ten patients in the said hospital had to be put on mechanical ventilators; three of them were not able to survive. Out of the three who died, two had no pre-existing health problems.
Nine out of the ten patients were obese, with seven out of those nine being extremely obese. Two out of the three who died were also identified to be extremely obese.
Severe complications were also seen in the sample population studied. Nine out of ten had multiple organ failure which can occur in other influenza cases. However, there were five who had blood clots and six who suffered from kidney failure, complications which were not predominant to H1N1 patients.
Link between obesity and complications still unknown
Dr. Tim Uyeki, a flu expert from the CDC and co-author of the study said, “What this suggests is that there can be severe complications associated with this virus infection, especially in severely obese patients." He added that, "Clinicians need to be aware that severe complications can occur in patients with the novel H1N1 virus, particularly in extremely obese patients.”
The study has noted that none of the patients suffering the complications has fully recovered as of the moment.
Despite the findings of the study, scientists are still at a loss on how obesity leads to severe complications of H1N1. Dr. Uyeki stated, "We don't know if it is necessary for a higher dose of the drug to be given to patients who are obese.”
Increasing cases
Also on Friday, the CDC reported that the number of H1N1 cases in the country is now more than 37,000 with 211 deaths. This is a big increase from the 34,000 cases and 170 deaths reported last week.
The drug of choice for the H1N1 flu remains to be oseltamivir known by the brand name Tamiflu.