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Self-reported sick leave and long-term health symptoms of Q-fever patients.
- Source :
-
European Journal of Public Health . Dec2012, Vol. 22 Issue 6, p814-819. 6p. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background: In The Netherlands, 1168 Q-fever patients were notified in 2007 and 2008. Patients and general practitioners (GPs) regularly reported persisting symptoms after acute Q-fever, especially fatigue and long periods of sick leave, to the public health authorities. International studies on smaller Q-fever outbreaks demonstrate that symptoms may persist years after acute illness. Data for the Dutch outbreaks were unavailable. The aim of this study is to quantify sick leave after acute Q-fever and long-term symptoms. Methods: Our study targeted 898 acute Q-fever patients, notified in 2007 and 2008 residing in the Province Noord-Brabant. Patients from the 2008 cohort were mailed a questionnaire at 12 months and those of the 2007 cohort at 12–26 months after onset of illness. Patients reported underlying illness, Q-fever-related symptoms and sick leave. Results: The response rate was 64%. Forty percent of the working patients reported long-term (>1 month) sick leave. Pre-existent heart disease odds ratio (OR) 4.50; confidence interval (CI) 1.27–16.09), hospitalization in the acute phase (OR 3.99; 95% CI 2.15–7.43) and smoking (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.01–2.84) were significant predictors for long-term absence. Of the patients who resumed work, 9% were—at the time of completing the questionnaire—still unable to function at pre-infection levels due to fatigue or concentration problems. Of the respondents, 40% reported persisting physical symptoms at the time of follow-up. Fatigue (20%) was most frequently reported. Daily activities were affected in 30% of cases. Conclusions: Q-fever poses a serious persisting long-term burden on patients and society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 11011262
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 83783576
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cks003