Burden of self-reported acute gastrointestinal illness in China: a population-based survey

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and distribution of acute gastrointestinal illness (GI) in the Chilean population, describe its burden and presentation, identify risk factors associated with GI and assess the differences between a 7-day, 15-day and a 30-day recall period in the population-based burden of illness study design. Face-to-face surveys were conducted on 6047 randomly selected residents in the Metropolitan region, Chile (average response rate 75·8%) in 2008. The age-adjusted monthly prevalence of GI was 9·2%. The 7-day recall period provided annual incidence rate estimates about 2·2 times those of the 30-day recall period. Age, occupation, healthcare system, sewer system, antibiotic use and cat ownership were all found to be significant predictors for being a case. This study expands on the discussion of recall bias in retrospective population studies and reports the first population-based burden and distribution of GI estimates in Chile.

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Acute gastrointestinal illness in adults in Germany: a population-based telephone survey

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268813000046 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 141 (11) ◽

pp. 2365-2375 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

H. WILKING ◽

H. SPITZNAGEL ◽

D. WERBER ◽

C. LANGE ◽

A. JANSEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

Telephone Survey ◽

Age Groups ◽

International Comparisons ◽

Population Based ◽

Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Hospital Days

SUMMARYPopulation-based estimates of incidence and risk factors for acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) are important for infectious disease surveillance and healthcare planning. We conducted a nationwide representative cross-sectional telephone survey of 21 262 adults over a 12-month period during 2008–2009 in Germany. Participants were asked if they had either AGI-related diarrhoea or vomiting in a 4-week recall period. We estimated 0·95 episodes/person per year (95% confidence interval 0·90–0·99), corresponding to 64·9 million episodes of AGI annually in adults, which results in 24·5 million outpatient visits, 19·9 million hospital days and 63·2 million days of work lost. We observed an overall declining trend of AGI with increasing age. Diarrhoea was more often reported than vomiting. The mean duration of illness was 3·8 days and did not differ between age groups. Social factors seemed to be weak predictors compared to state of health and health behaviour characteristics. This study allows international comparisons and contributes to the estimation of the global burden of AGI.

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Population-based estimate of the burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in Jiangsu province, China, 2010–2011

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268812001331 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 141 (5) ◽

pp. 944-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Y. J. ZHOU ◽

Y. DAI ◽

B. J. YUAN ◽

S. Q. ZHEN ◽

Z. TANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Population Based ◽

Jiangsu Province ◽

Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Sentinel Site ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Gender Education

SUMMARYTo determine the burden and distribution of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) in the population, a cross-sectional, monthly face-to-face survey of 10 959 residents was conducted in Jiangsu province between July 2010 and June 2011. The adjusted monthly prevalence was 4·7% with 0·63 AGI episodes/person per year. The prevalence was the highest in children aged <5 years and lowest in persons aged ⩾65 years. A bimodal seasonal distribution was observed with peaks in summer and winter. Regional difference of AGI prevalence was substantial [lowest 0·5% in Taicang, highest 15·1% in Xinqu (Wuxi prefecture)]. Healthcare was sought by 38·4% of the ill respondents. The use of antibiotics was reported by 65·2% of the ill respondents and 38·9% took antidiarrhoeals. In the multivariable model, gender, education, season, sentinel site and travel were significant risk factors of being a case of AGI. These results highlight the substantial burden of AGI and the risk factors associated with AGI in Jiangsu province, China.

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Quantifying the incidence and cost of acute gastrointestinal illness in Sweden, 2013–2014

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268816000467 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 144 (13) ◽

pp. 2831-2839 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. EDELSTEIN ◽

H. MERK ◽

C. DEOGAN ◽

A. CARNAHAN ◽

A. WALLENSTEN

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Population Based ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Age Group ◽

Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Direct Healthcare Costs

SUMMARYIn Sweden, acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) incidence, severity, impact on productivity, related healthcare usage and associated costs are not ascertained. We measured these in 2013–2014 using a population-based cohort reporting weekly. We defined AGI as ⩾3 episodes of loose stools or vomiting/24 h; or loose stools or vomiting with ⩾2 other gastrointestinal symptoms. After each AGI episode, we collected information about perceived severity, healthcare use and absenteeism. We calculated incidence rates, AGI absenteeism and costs comprising direct healthcare costs and productivity loss due to work/school absenteeism. A total of 3241 participants reported 1696 AGI episodes [incidence 360/1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 326–395; highest in the <5 years age group]. In the <5 years age group, 31% of episodes were perceived as mild, 61% as moderate and 8% as severe; 9·4% led to primary-care consultations, and 1·4% to hospital admissions. In the ⩾5 years age group, 18% of episodes were perceived as mild, 64% as moderate and 18% as severe; 6·4% led to primary-care consultations, and 1·9% to hospital admissions. AGI caused 8 891 000 days of absenteeism (95% CI 6 009 000–12 780 000). AGI cost €1 005 885 000 (95% CI 754 309 000–1 257 195 000) nationally for the year. In Sweden, a minority of cases perceive AGI as a mild illness. AGI is a burden on the healthcare system and causes productivity loss, with high costs. Countries may consider these estimates when prioritizing health interventions.

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Burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in Denmark 2009: a population-based telephone survey

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268811000471 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 140 (2) ◽

pp. 290-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

L. MÜLLER ◽

H. KORSGAARD ◽

S. ETHELBERG

Keyword(s):

Incidence Rate ◽

Telephone Survey ◽

Population Sample ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Case Definition ◽

Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽

Definition Of

SUMMARYA cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Denmark throughout 2009 to determine the incidence of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI). Using the Danish population register, a random population sample stratified by gender and age groups was selected and mobile or landline phone numbers found. Representative numbers of interviews were performed by gender, age group and month. A recently proposed international case definition of AGI, including cases with diarrhoea and/or vomiting in a 4-week recall period, was used. A total of 1853 individuals were included and 206 (11·1%) fulfilled the case definition; 78% reported diarrhoea. This corresponds to an overall standardized incidence rate of 1·4 (95% CI 1·2–1·6) episodes of AGI per person-year. The incidence rate was generally higher in the younger age groups; only being 2·3, 1·9 and 0·80 per person-year in the 0–9, 10–39 and ⩾40 years age groups, respectively. The incidence rate estimates were considerably higher when calculated from shorter recall periods.

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