Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Influenza A (H1N1) is a highly contagious and pathogenic respiratory disease. This retrospective study aims to provide a scientific basis for the early diagnosis of the malignant progression of the disease and the prediction of the prognosis of elderly patients with influenza A through a retrospective research analysis. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 97 elderly patients with influenza A (H1N1) admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City from November 2023 to February 2024 were included. By analyzing the patients' clinical data, laboratory test indicators (including routine serum biochemical and blood routine indicators), and pulmonary imaging examination results, the correlations between these indicators and disease progression, hospital stay duration, and pulmonary pathological changes were explored. RESULT: The d-dimer level was significantly correlated with the hospital stay duration (P = 0.0413). The d-dimer level was significantly correlated with the pathological changes of pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, calcification, and nodules (F = 2.623, P = 0.0437). Especially in patients with pulmonary inflammation, the d-dimer level was significantly elevated. A decrease in lymphocyte count was closely related to the occurrence of severe influenza A (P = 0.0355). The study also found that changes in the d-dimer level, together with increases in monocyte and white blood cell counts, indicated an increased risk of disease progression. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new perspective for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment of elderly patients with influenza A (H1N1) through a comprehensive analysis of indicators such as d-dimer, lymphocytes, monocytes, and white blood cell counts.