Impact of diabetes mellitus on mortality associated with pneumonia and influenza among non-Hispanic black and white US adults

Objectives. This study assessed the impact of diabetes on mortality associa ted with pneumonia and influenza among non-Hispanic Black and White US adul ts. Methods. Data were derived from the National Mortality Followback Survey (1 986) and the National Health Interview Survey (1987-1989). Results. Regardless of race, sex, and socioeconomic status, people with dia betes who died at 25 to 64 years of age were more likely to have pneumonia and influenza recorded on the death certificate than people without diabete s who died at comparable ages (odds ratio [OR] = 4.0, 95% confidence interv al [CI] = 2.3, 7.7). For those 65 years and older, the risk remained elevat ed among Whites with diabetes (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.7, 2.7) but not among B lacks with diabetes (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6, 1.7). It was estimated that ab out 17 000 (10.3%) of the 167 000 deaths associated with pneumonia and infl uenza that occurred in 1986 were attributable to diabetes. Conclusions. The impact of diabetes on deaths associated with pneumonia and influenza is substantial. Targeted immunizations among people with diabete s may reduce unnecessary deaths associated with pneumonia and influenza.