Rosa Mitchelmore

• MBBS
• Effect of influenza and treatment of influenza on morbidity and mortality of COPD admissions

Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’, is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Most people recover from the illness without complications. However, for patients with underlying medical conditions, influenza can be life-threatening. One such group is those with respiratory diseases affecting the lungs, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In the last four years, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospital Trust have introduced a test which can detect influenza quickly, leading to an increase in diagnosis of influenza amongst patients admitted. Analysis of the results show that a large number of patients admitted with worsening COPD have one of the two main influenza virus types. It is important to study the consequences of having influenza on patient outcomes, as this can be used when considering management of future admissions. This study with retrospectively analyse data from patients admitted with COPD problems to see if the presence of the virus affects outcomes.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr David Ashley Price and Dr Carlos Eschevarria