Abstract
Using a primary care database, we identified a major increase in impetigo in the United Kingdom during 1995–2010. Despite a doubled rate of primary care consultations, this increase was not identified by routine surveillance. Primary care databases are a valuable and underused source of surveillance data on infectious diseases.
Highlights
Using a primary care database, we identified a major increase in impetigo in the United Kingdom during 1995– 2010
In the United Kingdom, hospitalizations for impetigo increased 5-fold from 1989–1990 through 2003–2004; among children, the increase was 12-fold [2]. To investigate whether this increase was fueled by increasing rates of infection in the community rather than increased pathogenicity, we used a large and nationally representative primary care database to calculate time trends in incidence of consultation and medications prescribed for impetigo
Kingdom was not detected by routine surveillance data
Summary
Using a primary care database, we identified a major increase in impetigo in the United Kingdom during 1995– 2010. To investigate whether this increase was fueled by increasing rates of infection in the community rather than increased pathogenicity, we used a large and nationally representative primary care database to calculate time trends in incidence of consultation and medications prescribed for impetigo. Health Improvement Network (THIN) database, a source of detailed clinical information about patient primary care consultations [3].
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