Epidemiological study of human echinococciasis in catalonia spain 1977 1981 1st part
Cayla J.A.; Barquet N.; Munoz C.; Llor J.L.; Corominas M.; Bordas J.M.; Torres J.M., 1986: Epidemiological study of human echinococciasis in catalonia spain 1977 1981 1st part. Medicina Clinica 86(10): 397-404
Epidemiological features of human echinococciasis in Catalonia were evaluated from the analysis of the clinical records of 685 residents in this country, in whom diagnosis was made in 29 hospitals from 1977 to 1981. A mean annual incidence (MAI) of 2.37/100,000 was detected, although it was estimated that the actual rate might be between 3 and 4/100,000. The regions with the highest detected MAI were Terra Alta (14.56/100,000), Vall d'Aran (10.33/100,000) and Montsia (6.85/100,000). Among patients younger than 10 years of age, the condition predominated among males (p < 0.05); in the general population, the prevalence of the disease increased with age, except in senile individuals. This suggests a long prediagnostic period and that in old age most cysts may be burnt out or asymptomatic. Immigrants have a 5.15 higher morbidity rate than autochthonous population (p < 0.00001); the highest specific rates of MAI are in individuals from Guadalajara (19.33/100,000), Soria (16.08/100,000) and Segovia (13.46/100,000). Compulsory reporting of individual cases, particularly among people under 20, would facilitate the detection of the sources of infection and might evaluate future eradication campaings.