Inpatient outcomes for hospitalized older adults with rhinovirus.

Del Corpo, O.; McDonald, E.; Smyth, L.; Smyth, E.; Walji, M.; Cheng, M.; Frenette, C.; Saleh, R.; Lee, T.

Background: Rhinoviruses account for many cases of the common cold and infection is often self-limiting. As such, there is a lack of data regarding the inpatient outcomes of individuals hospitalized with rhinovirus infection. Given the generalized poorer prognosis of elderly admitted with respiratory viral infections, we assessed the mortality rate of general medical patients admitted with rhinovirus infection along with the major risk factors associated to mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to our clinical teaching ward from December 2013 to June 2017. Results: Overall, 12.5% of patients admitted with rhinovirus infection died within 90 days of admission. The median age of admitted patients was 70 years-old. In univariable analysis, age (OR 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.09) and the need for oxygen at presentation (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.06-9.86) were associated with death while obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.01-0.81) was associated with survival. In the multivariable model, age (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.09) and obstructive lung disease (aOR 0.09 95%CI 0.01-0.73) remained significant whereas the requirement for oxygen at presentation did not (aOR 2.78; 95% CI 0.84-9.23). Conclusion: Our study reveals that rhinovirus is an important cause of both morbidity and mortality in the elderly and further highlights the need for studies of potentially effective treatment options. In the meantime, we suggest that rigorous respiratory hygiene measures and quality older adult care should be practiced when caring for at-risk adults.