RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR DEVELOPING INFLUENZA REQUIRING HOSPITAL INPATIENT ADMISSION, COMPARABLE TO OLDER AGE AND GREATER THAN SMOKING, IN A LARGE, SINGLE-CENTRE COHORT

Abstract

Background: RA patients are known to be at increased risk of serious infection(1), particularly for respiratory infections such as influenza which are known to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality(2). Currently RA patients do not have enhanced access to high-dose influenza vaccination in our jurisdiction, despite the reported benefit in RA(3) and enhanced access for patients older than 65 years old. The magnitude of the risk from RA compared to smoking or age greater than 65 years old remains incompletely understood. Objectives: To examine the association of RA, smoking, and age greater than 65 years old with hospital inpatient admissions for influenza. Methods: We examined g..