A population-based longitudinal study on the incidence and disease burden of gastroenteritis and Campylobacter and Salmonella infection in four regions of the Netherlands
Mas. De Wit et al., A population-based longitudinal study on the incidence and disease burden of gastroenteritis and Campylobacter and Salmonella infection in four regions of the Netherlands, EUR J EPID, 16(8), 2000, pp. 713-718
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Medical Research General Topics
The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of gastroenteritis and
Campylobacter and Salmonella infection in the Dutch population, the disease
burden, and the percentage of patients with gastroenteritis that consults
a general practitioner. A sample of 6243 persons was invited to participate
in the study, i.e. completing a questionnaire and submitting stool samples
. The follow-up period was 17 weeks. In total, 2206 persons participated (=
35%), contributing 660 person years. The incidence (standardised by age an
d gender) of first episodes of gastroenteritis was 45 per 100 person years.
Among patients with gastroenteritis, Salmonella and Campylobacter were cul
tured in 1.6 and 4.5%, respectively. The standardised incidence of first Ca
mpylobacter infections was 9 per 100 person years, of first Salmonella infe
ctions 4 per 100 person years. For 22% of the episodes of gastroenteritis,
a general practitioner was consulted (either by phone or by practice visit)
. For 52% of the episodes, medicine were used. For 34% of the episodes, abs
ence from school was reported and for 15%, absence from work was reported.
Despite of possible biases, we can conclude that the incidence of gastroent
eritis is very high and causes considerable use of medication, consultation
of general practitioners and absence from work and school.