Quality of life of patients with brucellosis in an endemic area of Mexico

Guillermina García-Juárez,Efrén Ramírez-Bribiesca,Alfonso Pérez-Sánchez,Luz M Hernández-Calva,José D Vázquez-Vázquez,Christine M Budke

doi:10.4236/health.2012.49090

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life of patients infected with brucellosis compared to a control population from the same geographic region. The quality of life of brucellosis positive and brucellosis negative individuals from rural and urban areas of Mexico was evaluated using the Short-Form SF-36 Health Survey. This survey is a generic measure of physical and mental health-related quality of life. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test. Brucellosis patients had lower overall quality of life compared with the controls. Brucellosis patients from rural areas had lower overall quality of life (P < 0.05) compared with brucellosis patients from urban areas. In conclusion, human brucellosis affects quality of life, with patients living in rural areas most severely impacted. This may be due to the lack of local public policies and programs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brucellosis.

Highlights

Brucellosis is an infection of animals and humans that occurs worldwide, with endemic areas located in Latin America, including Mexico
There were no differences in quality of life between men and women for brucellosis patients or controls
Mean scores for all domains were significantly different between brucellosis patients and controls in both urban and rural areas (P < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Brucellosis is an infection of animals and humans that occurs worldwide, with endemic areas located in Latin America, including Mexico. This zoonotic disease is especially prevalent in rural agricultural regions and is caused by the bacteria Brucella spp. Species that cause the most severe human illness are B. melitensis, B. suis, and B. abortus. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), brucellosis is a reportable zoonosis, with considerable socioeconomic, public health, and international-trade implications [1]. In places where brucellosis is endemic, humans can become infected via contact with infected animals or consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products from the infected cows and goats [2]

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