Global burden of influenza lower respiratory tract infections in older people from 1990 to 2019.

Abstract

Infections with influenza viruses cause severe illness, substantial number of hospitalization and death, especially in older adults. However, few studies have focused on the burden of influenza lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) solely in older adults, particularly in low-resource settings. We aimed to estimate the mortality and DALYs of influenza LRTIs for people aged 55years and older in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study was used to obtain data on mortality and DALYs of influenza LRTIs at the global, regional, and country levels. In 2019, the global rates for mortality and DALYs of influenza LRTIs were 6.46 per 100,000 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 2.37-12.62] and 97.39 per 100,000 (95% UI: 34.70-187.03). Although the rates for mortality and DALYs in people aged 55years and older decreased from 1990 to 2019, the absolute numbers for both increased by 85.84% and 66.56%, respectively. Both the absolute numbers and rates of deaths and DALYs of influenza LRTIs were higher in male than in female in all age groups. Although low-socio-demographic index (SDI) regions experienced the largest declines for the rates of mortality and DALYs of influenza LRTIs over the past three decades, they still had the highest rates for mortality and DALYs in all age groups. Moreover, the absolute numbers and rates of deaths and DALYs of influenza LRTIs showed an increasing trend with age, reaching the peak in the people over 85years old. Burden of influenza LRTIs in older adults is still high and could continue to grow along with global aging. Efforts to improve vaccination for influenza are needed for preparedness of another influenza pandemic, especially in low-SDI regions.