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Abstract
We analysed 25 years of general practitioner (GP) visits for acute gastroenteritis (AG) surveillance in France, by the GP Sentinelles network. We searched for time trends of acute gastroenteritis incidence during winter periods. Data from emergency departments and drug reimbursement were additional data sources. A time-series analysis was performed using a generalised additive model for all data sources for the winter period. Virological data were incorporated and compared with the three data sources. The cumulative incidence of GP visits for winter AG exhibited an increasing trend from 1991 until 2008, when it reached 6,466 per 100,000 inhabitants. It decreased thereafter to 3,918 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015. This decreasing trend was observed for all age groups and confirmed by the generalised additive model. For emergency department visits a decreasing trend was observed from 2004. Drug reimbursement data analyses demonstrated a decreasing trend from when data began in 2009. The incidence reported by GPs and emergency departments was lower following the emergence of norovirus GII.4 2012 (p < 0.0001). Winter AG incidences seem to follow long-term rising and decreasing trends that are important to monitor through continuous surveillance to evaluate the impact of prevention strategies, such as future immunisation against acute viral gastroenteritis.
Highlights
IntroductionAcute gastroenteritis (AG) is commonly defined as diarrhoea (three or more loose stools) or vomiting in the past 24 hours [1]
Acute gastroenteritis (AG) is commonly defined as diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 24 hours [1]
During the 25 winter periods covered by the study, general practitioner (GP) visit data showed a median weekly incidence rate of GP visits for AG of 173 cases per 100,000 inhabitants [Q1: 131; Q3: 256]
Summary
Acute gastroenteritis (AG) is commonly defined as diarrhoea (three or more loose stools) or vomiting in the past 24 hours [1]. AG can be caused by different viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as chemicals and other non-infectious agents. The frequency of detection of infectious agents depends on the age of the patients and the epidemiological context [2]. In France, it has been estimated that more than 21 million AG cases occur each year, leading to between 1.5 and 4 million general practitioner (GP) visits by adults during the winter period [3,5]. AG occurs yearround but exhibits a pronounced winter peak, usually between December and March in France, related to an increase in AG of viral origin, mainly norovirus and rotavirus [6,7,8]. It is estimated that rotavirus is responsible for more than 25 million clinic visits each year [9]
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Schedule a callMore From: Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
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