| Title: |
Epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and its sequelae: a population-based study in Italian primary care, 2000–2019 |
| Authors: |
Lapi F.; Marconi E.; Vetrano D. L.; Rossi A.; Lagolio E.; Baldo V.; Cricelli C. |
| Contributors: |
Lapi, F.; Marconi, E.; Vetrano, D. L.; Rossi, A.; Lagolio, E.; Baldo, V.; Cricelli, C. |
| Publisher Information: |
Oxford University Press |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Padua Research Archive (IRIS - Università degli Studi di Padova) |
| Subject Terms: |
cohort studie; complication; epidemiology; meningococcal infection; primary health care |
| Description: |
Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe infectious disease. Although effective preventive and therapeutical strategies are available, the fatality rate remains high in the general population, with an occurrence of meningococcal-related severe sequelae involving 10–20% of survivors. Given the crucial role of general practitioners in recognizing and preventing IMD and its related sequelae, we aim to assess the burden of these conditions in primary care. Methods: Using an Italian primary care database, the incidence rate of IMD was calculated in the period 2000–2019 by capturing the first diagnosis registered during follow-up. As far as meningococcal-related sequelae are concerned, we identified and clinically evaluated each potential sequela during the first 3 months, from 3 to 12 months, and up to 36 months. Results: Among 508 patients diagnosed with IMD, 403 (incidence rate: 0.24 per 10,000 person-years) comprised those diagnosed with IMD in patients aged 15 years or older. We ascertained 104 sequelae (20.4%); 76% of them occurred in those aged 25 or older; 42, 27, and 35 were assessed as short-, medium-, or long-term sequelae, respectively. Overall, 4.7% of IMD patients reported physical sequelae, while 12.2% and 5.7% of patients reported neurological and psychological sequelae, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that a substantial proportion of IMD and related sequelae occur in individuals aged over 25, with a non-negligible burden for healthcare systems. As for the paediatric population, effective communication on the relevance of meningococcal vaccination in adults should be proficiently fostered. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/37262015; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/wos/WOS:000999489100001; volume:42; issue:3; journal:FAMILY PRACTICE; https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3554740 |
| DOI: |
10.1093/fampra/cmad062 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3554740; https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmad062 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess ; license:Accesso privato - non pubblico ; license uri:iris.PRI01 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.757FE3AA |
| Database: |
BASE |