Trend in incidence and case-fatality of meningococcal disease over 16 years in Northern Denmark

The incidence and case fatality rates of meningococcal disease were assesse d in the county of Northern Jutland, Denmark, during the 16-year period fro m 1980 to 1995. A total of 320 patients were identified from the Meningococ cal Research Database, which comprises information from the following sourc es: (i) the Department of Public Health, to whom notification of meningococ cal disease is obligatory; (ii) the Regional Hospital Discharge Registry; a nd (iii) the register of the regional department of clinical microbiology. In order to assess prognostic indicators assessable at admission, informati on was collected for each patient from hospital records regarding contacts, symptoms and signs on arrival, laboratory data, and course of disease. The mean incidence was 4.3 cases per 100 000 persons per year (range, 2.7-7.7) . The incidence increased slightly during the period studied. Overall, the case fatality rate was 9.7%, with a significant rise occurring during the p eriod (P = 0.016) and a peal; occurring in 1992. Advanced age (greater than or equal to 50 years), seizures, impaired consciousness, and skin bleeding on arrival at hospital were predictors of death.