Evaluation of clinical data and antibody response following influenza vaccination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The present study investigated the antibody response against influenza vaccine and also the efficacy of vaccination on clinical findings in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) following influenza vaccination. A total of 82 cases with COPD (44 cases as vaccinated and 38 cases as unvaccinated) were evaluated clinically and 21 healthy volunteers were also included in the study as a control group. Influenza (A and B) Ig M and Ig G parameters were analyzed quantitatively in blood samples of the vaccinated group and healthy volunteers by ELISA method once before vaccination and one month and one year after vaccination. The presence of dyspnoea, increased sputum production and/or purulence were accepted as criteria of acute exacerbation. The number of hospital presentations was significantly lower in the vaccinated group and higher in severe cases with COPD in unvaccinated group. Vaccinated cases in the study group experienced significantly fewer episodes of pneumonia, hospitalization and intensive care. Quantitative influenza (A and B) antibody IgG levels significantly increased in these patients as well. In conclusion, seasonal influenza vaccination with the trivalent influenza split virion vaccine especially in severe or very severe COPD patients who need hospitalization was evaluated as beneficial in clinical use.