Model Estimates of the Burden of Outpatient Visits Attributable to Influenza in the United States

The authors used statistical modeling on time series data from two medical claims databases to estimate outpatient visits for respiratory diagnoses and otitis media attributable to influenza. For those under age 65, the model estimated approximately 14.5 million outpatient visits for respiratory diagnoses attributable to influenza, with approximately 80% occurring in those age 5 to 49. They also found approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits for otitis media attributable to influenza, with 86% occurring in those under 18 years of age.