Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination Rates and Factors Affecting Vaccination among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Journal Title: Balkan Medical Journal - Year 2017, Vol 34, Issue 3

Abstract

Background: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to decrease associated risks at all stages. Although the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in our country, as previously reported, vaccination rates are low. Aims: To assess the vaccination rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and factors that may affect these. Study Design: Multi-centre cross-sectional study. Methods: Patients admitted to the chest diseases clinics of six different centres between 1 February 2013 and 1 January 2014 with a pre-diagnosis of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to the Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria, who were in a stable condition were included in the study. The survey, which included demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, severity of disease and vaccination information, was first tested on a small patient population before the study. The survey was completed by the investigators after obtaining written informed consent. Results: The average age of the 296 included patients was 66.3±9.3 years and 91.9% were male. Of these, 36.5% had the influenza vaccination and 14.1% had the pneumococcal vaccination. The most common reason for not being vaccinated was ‘no recommendation by doctors’: 57.2% in the case of influenza vaccinations, and 46.8% in the case of pneumococcal vaccinations. Both vaccination rates were significantly higher in those patients with comorbidities (influenza vaccination p<0.001; pneumococcal vaccination p=0.06). There was no significant correlation with age, gender, smoking and severity of disease (p>0.05). Vaccination rates were significantly higher in those with a white-collar occupation and higher education level, and who presented to a university hospital (p<0.001). Conclusion: Medical professionals do not request vaccinations as often as the International Guidelines suggest for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Awareness of the importance of these vaccinations among both doctors and patients needs to be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

Ülkü Aka Aktürk, Aslı Görek Dilektaşlı, Aysun Şengül, Banu Musaffa Salepçi, Nuray Oktay, Mustafa Düger, Hale Arık Taşyıkan, Nagihan Durmuş Koçak

Keywords

Related Articles

Step-by-Step Cardioneuroablation Approach in Two Patients with Functional Atrioventricular Block

Parasympathetic overactivity may cause functional atrioventricular block episodes and necessitate pacemaker implantation in symptomatic cases and those refractory to conventional therapies. In these patients, if it can b...

Serrated Polyposis Syndrome in a Single-Center 10-Year Experience

Aims: Serrated polyposis syndrome is a disease that is often missed in the clinical setting and is associated with colorectal cancer. We investigated the prevalence of SPS and the association between colorectal or other...

Increased Expression of Interleukin-18 mRNA is Associated with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Background: Carotid artery stenosis is the atherosclerotic narrowing of the proximal internal carotid artery and one of the primary causes of stroke. Elevated expression of the pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine interl...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP380445
  • DOI 10.4274/balkanmedj.2016.1028
  • Views 73
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Ülkü Aka Aktürk, Aslı Görek Dilektaşlı, Aysun Şengül, Banu Musaffa Salepçi, Nuray Oktay, Mustafa Düger, Hale Arık Taşyıkan, Nagihan Durmuş Koçak (2017). Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination Rates and Factors Affecting Vaccination among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Balkan Medical Journal, 34(3), 206-211. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-380445