Effect of mobile phone text messaging for improving the uptake of influenza vaccination in patients with rare diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Influenza vaccine is recommended in some chronic medical conditions, including several rare diseases. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of text message reminders on influenza vaccination uptake of patients with selected rare diseases and delayed vaccination, and to describe their characteristics. METHODS: Quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study performed along the 2016 influenza vaccination campaign in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Unvaccinated patients diagnosed with a selected rare disease were targeted for intervention. SMS were sent to them at least one month after the beginning of the campaign, in four consecutive weeks. Those with no mobile phones available or no certainty of message reception, were assigned as controls. The association between the reception of the SMS and vaccination uptake was assessed using multiple poisson regression models. RESULTS: Of 69.040 patients with delayed vaccination, 87.2% received an SMS reminder in the asigned contact mobile telephone. Global influenza vaccine coverage reached 41.3%. The uptake of influenza vaccine was significantly higher among those receiving the reminder (9.3% vs. 7.1% in the control group, p < 0.001). Those who received a SMS reminder were 30% more likely to uptake seasonal influenza vaccine. By sex and age, the reception of the reminder was associated with a significantly higher probability of vaccination in men ≥65 years with at least a concurrent chronic condition (IRR: 1.58, CI95%: 1.25-2.00). Among women, this higher probability was detected in those between 14 and 64 years of age (IRR: 1.41, CI95%: 1.22-1.63), and ≥65 years without concurrent chronic conditions (IRR: 1.40, CI95%: 1.05-1.89). CONCLUSION: Although the intervention was modestly effective, it proved beneficial in some cases. It can be an additional strategy to improve vaccine uptake, since it is simple, feasible, affordable and easily scalable, particularly when immunization and target population data are available in population registries.

Diabetes mellitus mortality in Spanish cities: Trends and geographical inequalities.

AIM: To analyze the geographical pattern of diabetes mellitus (DM) mortality and its association with socioeconomic factors in 26 Spanish cities. METHODS: We conducted an ecological study of DM mortality trends with two cross-sectional cuts (1996-2001; 2002-2007) using census tract (CT) as the unit of analysis. Smoothed standardized mortality rates (sSMR) were calculated using Bayesian models, and a socioeconomic deprivation score was calculated for each CT. RESULTS: In total, 27,757 deaths by DM were recorded, with higher mortality rates observed in men and in the period 1996-2001. For men, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 6 cities in the first study period and in 7 cities in the second period. The highest relative risk was observed in Pamplona (RR, 5.13; 95% credible interval (95%CI), 1.32-15.16). For women, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 13 cities in the first period and 8 in the second. The strongest association was observed in San Sebastián (RR, 3.44; 95%CI, 1.25-7.36). DM mortality remained stable in the majority of cities, although a marked decrease was observed in some cities, including Madrid (RR, 0.67 and 0.64 for men and women, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate clear inequalities in DM mortality in Spain. These inequalities remained constant over time are were more marked in women. Detection of high-risk areas is crucial for the implementation of specific interventions.

Age and gender differences in Clostridium difficile-related hospitalization trends in Madrid (Spain) over a 12-year period.

This study aimed to analyze temporal trends by gender and age in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-related hospitalization rates in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (Spain) over a 12-year period. A population-based cross-sectional study of all hospital admissions with a CDI diagnosis from 2003 to 2014 was carried out. Annual age-specific hospitalization rates were calculated by gender. All the analyses were performed separately for total hospitalizations and hospitalizations with CDI as the primary diagnosis. Joinpoint regression models were used to analyze time trends. A total of 13,526 hospital discharges were identified (26.8 % with CDI as the primary diagnosis). In both sexes, a gradient in age-specific rates was observed, ranging in 2014 from 5.92 hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years in patients <15 years of age to 378.96 in patients ≥85 years of age. Since 2009, in the age group of 15-44 years, both men and women presented an increasing trend of around 18 %. A significantly increasing trend was detected in women of age 45-84 years, with an estimated annual percentage of change of 7.6 % in the age group of 45-64 years, and rounding with 4.5 % in the age group of 65-84 years. In men of age 45-64 years, the average annual percentage of increase was 4.7 %, and it was 21.1 % between 2010 and 2014 in the age group of 65-74 years. No trends were identified in the 85 years and over age group. Surveillance methods to assess trends by age group should be implemented. Preventive and therapeutic initiatives should remain a priority.

Increase in socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in a Southern European region: a small-area ecological study.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to describe the total mortality trend by socioeconomic deprivation (SED) in the Madrid Autonomous Region, by sex and age group. METHODS: Cross-sectional ecological study by census tract, in two periods: 1994-2000 (P1) with SED of 1996 census and 2001-07 (P2) with SED of 2001 census. We calculated the relative risks (RRs) and their 95% credibility intervals (95% CIs) by SED quintile (Q), taking the quintile of least deprivation as reference. Besag-York-Mollié ecological regression models and the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation procedure were applied. The absolute differences in age-standardized rates were compared by SED quintile. RESULTS: Inequalities decreased in young adults: among men aged 20-39 years, the RR in Q5 versus Q1 ranged from 2.73 (95% CI, 2.51-3.02) in P1 to 1.93 (95% CI, 1.76-2.15) in P2, due to the greater improvement in the most underprivileged groups. In contrast, there was an increase in SED-related mortality in the 40-79 age group. Among men aged 40-59 years, the RR in Q5 versus Q1 rose from 1.88 (95% CI, 1.76-2.02) in P1 to 2.29 (95% CI, 2.17-2.43) in P2; the improvement was greater in the most privileged groups. CONCLUSION: In a context of an economic boom, inequalities were observed to increase among adults by a greater improvement in the most privileged groups.

Factors Associated to a Reactive Result of Rapid-HIV Test in Socio-culturally Adapted Services in Primary Care in Spain.

The Services of Prevention and Early diagnosis of HIV in Madrid (Spain) are set in selected primary care centers. Cultural mediators targeted to vulnerable groups (economic immigrants, MSM, sex workers…) perform risk assessment and counselling. Between 2010 and 2014 they performed 6 039 rapid-HIV test, 27.8 % in MSM, 41.2 % in men who have sex exclusively with women (MSW) and 31.0 % in women; 35.7 % in immigrants, mainly from Latin America. A reactive result was more common among MSM (6.0 %) compared to women (0.6 %) and MSW (0.5 %). In MSM it was associated to being immigrant and to antecedents of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Among MSW the factors associated to a reactive result were: seropositivity of sexual partner and heroine consumption, and in women: infrequent use of condoms, seropositivity of sexual partner and antecedents of STI. Preventive interventions to reduce risk of HIV transmission and for early detection should be adapted and targeted to high risk population.

Coverage of and factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

SETTING: Patients aged ⩾ 40 years with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; codes R95, R79 and R91 in the International Classification for Primary Care) registered in primary care clinical records in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain. OBJECTIVE: To assess pneumococcal vaccination coverage in patients with COPD and to analyse factors associated with vaccination uptake. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study in which data were collected in September 2010. RESULTS: We found that 93,797 patients (72.0% men and 28.0% women) had COPD. Overall coverage was 65.5% (67.5% men vs. 60.4% women, P < 0.001). In patients aged 40-59 years, coverage was 19.5%, reaching 75.8% in those aged ⩾ 60 years. In patients aged <60 years, uptake was associated with a higher number of comorbidities and appropriate adherence to seasonal influenza and pandemic vaccination schedules. In patients aged ⩾ 60 years, factors associated with uptake in both sexes were older age and appropriate adherence to seasonal influenza vaccination schedules. Factors associated with uptake in men were concomitant comorbidities and pandemic vaccination. CONCLUSION: Vaccination coverage in individuals aged <60 years with COPD is less than acceptable in Madrid. Coverage was higher in men and in patients with another chronic condition.

First secondary case of Ebola outside Africa: epidemiological characteristics and contact monitoring, Spain, September to November 2014.

On 6 October 2014, a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) acquired outside Africa was detected in Madrid in a healthcare worker who had attended to a repatriated Spanish missionary and used proper personal protective equipment. The patient presented with fever <38.6 °C without other EVD-compatible symptoms in the days before diagnosis. No case of EVD was identified in the 232 contacts investigated. The experience has led to the modification of national protocols.

Temporal trends in incidence rates of herpes zoster among patients treated in primary care centers in Madrid (Spain), 2005-2012.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate total and age-specific incidence rates of HZ with data from electronic clinical records in primary care (ECRPC) and to analyze trends by sex and age. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study covering the incident HZ episodes registered in the ECRPC of the Madrid Regional Public Health System in 2005-2012. Annual crude and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Differences by sex and age were assessed by poisson regression. The annual percentage of change (APC) of incidence rates and 'breakthrough points' of the time trends were determined with the Joinpoint Regression Program. RESULTS: 211,650 episodes of HZ were identified (60.6% women, 52.2% > 55 years). The incidence rate increased from 363.21 to 481.92 per 100,000 person-year in 2005-2012. Rates were higher among women and increased with age. The APC for the period was 3.59% in men and 3.67% in women (p < 0.05). Age-specific rates increased in patients over 14 years. The APC in the 25-44 age group was 7.4% since 2007. The incidence rate ratio (women/men) was highest in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HZ presents an upward trend in 2005-2012 in adults and the elderly. Monitoring the incidence and age-specific rates, will help to detect changes in trends.

Trends in hospitalizations of patients with sepsis and factors associated with inpatient mortality in the Region of Madrid, 2003­2011.

The objectives of this investigation were to study the temporal trends in hospitalizations of patients with sepsis in the Region of Madrid (Spain) from 2003 to 2011 and analyze the factors associated with inpatient mortality. All sepsis hospitalizations from the minimum basic data set (MBDS) during 2003 to 2011 in the Region of Madrid were analyzed. Genderspecific crude and age-adjusted rates were calculated each year. Factors associated with death in these patients were studied with bivariate and multivariate analyses. Simultaneously, sepsis inpatients also underwent descriptive analysis. The study included 98,898 sepsis episodes. The incidence of sepsis hospitalizations per 100,000 habitants increased in males from 114.4 in 2003 to 262.2 in 2011, and in females from 91.2 to 209.1 between 2003 and 2011. The observed inpatient mortality was 23.2 %. There were 45,936 (46.4 %) episodes of severe sepsis (≥1 organ failure), revealing a clear upward trend, especially in multi-organ failure. Severe sepsis mortality showed a decreasing trend in both males (40.0 to 31.8 % from 2003 through 2011) and females (41.6 to 35.2 % from 2003 through 2011). Death was most frequent among the elderly and in patients with more organ failures and comorbidities. In a populous region of Southern Europe, an upward trend in sepsis incidence was observed between 2003 and 2011, as well as a decreasing trend in mortality for sepsis inpatients. Mortality increased with age, comorbidities, and organ failures.

Evolution of socio-economic inequalities in mortality in small geographical areas of the two largest cities in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid), 1996-2007.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the evolution of socio-economic inequalities in mortality in small areas of two Spanish cities (Barcelona and Madrid) from 1996 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2007. STUDY DESIGN: A small-area ecological study of trends was performed, in which the units of analysis were census tracts. METHODS: The association between mortality and socio-economic deprivation was assessed through Poisson regression analysis. Models were stratified by sex, age group and period of study. The trend in inequalities in mortality was assessed by introducing an interaction term between deprivation and the period of study. RESULTS: Mortality in the most-deprived areas was significantly higher than mortality in the less-deprived areas in both periods and most age groups. However, inequalities seemed to diminish in young people and elderly women, especially in Barcelona. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to monitor inequalities in mortality in the near future because the current financial crisis could change this situation.

Deaths in collective dwellings and inequalities in small-area mortality: an ecological study in the Madrid region (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of elderly persons reside and die in institutions, yet there are few studies that analyse the effect of this on mortality in small areas and its ensuing effect on the association between material deprivation and mortality. METHODS: A cross-sectional, ecological study in the region of Madrid covering 3906 census tracts (median 1000 inhabitants), using mortality data for 1996-2003 and socioeconomic deprivation from the 2001 census. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for each census tract. Using the Besag-York-Mollié model, RR of dying and their 95% CI according to the deprivation index considered (with the fourth quartile, Q, being the most unfavourable situation) were calculated for deaths among: the total population and the population excluding residents who died in institutions. RESULTS: 6% of the deceased had been residing in institutions, which affected 16.5% of census sections (644) and accounted for 17% of the variability in SMR among men and 10% among women, p<0.001. Mortality increased with socioeconomic deprivation, whereas the RR for the total population in Q4 with respect to Q1 was 1.46 among men (95% CI 1.41 to 1.50) and 1.12 among women (95% CI 1.08 to 1.17), these figures rose to 1.48 (95% CI 1.43 to 1.53) and 1.14 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.18), respectively, for the population excluding residents who died in institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Deaths of residents in institutions affect the variation in small-area mortality, and confound the relationship between mortality and socioeconomic deprivation. This variable should be recorded in mortality statistics so that its effect can be controlled for in subsequent analyses.

Census tract socioeconomic and physical environment and cardiovascular mortality in the Region of Madrid (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Features of the area might contribute to differences in cardiovascular mortality. The census tract distribution of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease mortality in the Region of Madrid and its association with deprivation and environmental variables were examined in this study. METHODS: Cross-sectional, ecological study covering 3906 census tracts (median of around 1000 inhabitants), using mortality data (population aged <75 years) for 1996-2003, as well as socioeconomic deprivation and other environmental indicators (subjective perceptions of pollution, background noise, lack of green spaces and delinquency) drawn from the 2001 census. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated. Smoothed census tract relative risks were calculated using the Besag-York-Mollié model. Relative risks (RRs) of dying and their 95% credibility intervals (95% CI) were calculated according to the indicators considered (with the fourth quartile, Q, being the most unfavourable situation). Maps were plotted depicting the distribution of the posterior probability of RR>1. RESULTS: Census tracts with excess mortality were mostly located in the city of Madrid. Mortality increased with deprivation: RRs of IHD and stroke mortality in Q4 with respect to Q1 were 1.42 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.54) and 1.66 (95% CI 1.45 to 1.88) for men, and 1.54 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.79) and 1.52 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.76) for women respectively. Associations with deprivation decreased only slightly when perceived lack of green spaces and delinquency were included in the model. In men, subjective perceptions of areas remained associated with cardiovascular mortality after adjustment for deprivation. CONCLUSION: Deprivation and subjective perceptions of physical environmental characteristics are ecologically associated with cardiovascular disease mortality.

Epidemiological usefulness of population-based electronic clinical records in primary care: estimation of the prevalence of chronic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic health problems are the main cause of disease, disability and death in developed countries, and their prevalence is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of selected chronic illnesses based on electronic clinical records in primary care (ECRPC) and to assess its usefulness for epidemiological research, by comparing ECRPC data against those reported by a contemporary health survey. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: All primary care medical consultations in the Madrid Regional Public Health System (PHS). SUBJECTS: A total of 23 535 182 ECRPC-registered episodes of illness, generated by PHS patients over 15 years of age seeking medical care during 2005-06. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalences of chronic diseases estimated on the basis of medically examined cases registered in ECRPC and morbidity as reported by a contemporary health survey covering the same geographic area. RESULTS: A total of 52.5% of the adult population had some chronic health problem. The highest overall prevalences were hypertension (14.8%), mental disorders (12.0%) and allergy (11.6%). Prevalences were generally highest among women, elderly and the native population. Depending on the specific disease, ECRPC-based prevalences were similar to (e.g. diabetes), higher (e.g. chronic skin problems) or lower (e.g. asthma and dyslipidaemia) than those reported by surveys, with certain age- and sex-related variations. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalences estimated from ECRPC and survey data present variations depending on the disease, age and sex. Both data sources provide complementary information about chronic disease prevalence. ECRPC have the advantage of generating an ongoing standardized register and entailing no additional effort for health professionals.

Adenovirus transmission in a nursing home: analysis of an epidemic outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: An epidemic outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis occurred in a nursing home in Madrid from August to December 2005. OBJECTIVE: This article reports the outbreak, the infection control measures taken, and risk factors for keratoconjunctivitis. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted on the nursing home staff and residents. Specific attack rates and relative risks with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. A multivariate analysis (logistic regression) was performed proving odds ratios (OR) of becoming ill. Conjunctival swab samples were taken and tested for viral infection. More stringent infection control measures were implemented following the occurrence of the initial cases. RESULTS: Forty-six cases were identified in the nursing home (infection rates of 30.5% in residents and 8.3% in workers). Total duration of the outbreak was 120 days. Corneal ulcer occurred in 3 cases. The factors appearing as independent risk factors were age (OR = 5.7 in people aged >or=90 years compared to those aged <80 years), cognitive impairment (OR = 2.64) and nursing home floor (OR = 2.74 for the first floor, where the outbreak started). Adenoviral DNA was amplified in 10 samples, and 8 of them could be typed as adenovirus serotype 8. CONCLUSIONS: Early adoption of adequate hygiene measures is essential to control these outbreaks. In nursing homes with a high number of people with cognitive impairment, an additional effort should be made when the first cases occur to provide such people an increased and improved care and monitoring.

[Shared surveillance: meningococcal disease vs influenza]. / Vigilancia compartida: enfermedad meningocócica vs gripe.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association between the behavior of meningococcal disease and influenza, using for this purpose population statistics for Spain for the period of 1964 to 1997. METHODS: Ecological study of the incidence of meningococcal disease and influenza in Spain from 1964 to 1997, inclusive. The study used weekly statistical data for these diseases supplied by the Compulsory Disease Reporting System (Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria, EDO). The deterministic component of the meningococcal disease and influenza series was studied by means of spectral analysis based on the Fast Fourier Transformation, and the non-deterministic component was studied using the ARIMA model. The Box-Jenkins method was used for pre-bleaching the series, and a cross-correlation was subsequently established between the residuals in order to detect the presence of any significant correlations between the meningococcal disease and influenza series. RESULTS: During the period from 1964 to 1997, the week that showed, on average, the greatest number of cases for the season was week 7 in the case of meningococcal disease and week 6 in the case of influenza. Spectral analysis of the meningococcal disease and influenza series clearly demonstrated the annual periodicity of both series, and periodicity of nearly 11 years for meningococcal disease and slightly over 10 years for influenza. When cross-correlation is established after prebleaching the series, positive correlations are obtained in the results of lags 0, 1, 2, and 3. Introducing influenza as an exogenous variable in the multivariate model of meningococcal disease corroborates these results. There was a statistically significant relationship between the two processes during the same week and with a three-week lapse. CONCLUSIONS: By means of a methodology not previously applied to this subject, and by the use of prolonged time-span, country-comprehensive population statistics (which includes several epidemics waves), an association was shown to exist between meningococcal disease and influenza. This suggests the need for the surveillance of the two processes in an interrelated manner.

Infant and perinatal mortality in Spain 1981-1991: interprovincial variations in Autonomous Communities with extreme economic levels.

The aims of the present study were to describe and compare infant, neonatal, postneonatal and perinatal mortality in aggregates of Spanish Autonomous Communities (AC) with higher and lower income, as well as to describe and compare their respective inequalities among the provinces constituting AC with similar (high or low) and with extreme economic levels, over the period from 1981 to 1991. The coefficient of variation (weighted by the number of births) has been used as the measure of interprovincial inequalities in mortality within each aggregate of AC and time trends in the average mortality rates and in their coefficients of variation have been analyzed using simple linear regression. The results of the study confirmed that the four mortality rates were all higher in the aggregate of AC of lower income than in that of higher income, and have fallen in both in a similar manner. Thus the perinatal mortality rates for the lower and higher income aggregates of AC respectively were 17.3 and 12.5 per 1000 births in 1981, and 8.3 and 6.8 in 1991. The inequality in postneonatal mortality was dominant in the group of AC with a lower economic level whereas geographical inequalities in perinatal mortality predominated in the higher income group. The predominance of interprovincial inequalities in perinatal mortality when all the AC (with extreme economic levels) were considered suggest that economic factors are closely related to perinatal mortality.

[Leisure time physical activity and its association with demographic variables and other behaviors related with health]. / La actividad física de ocio y su asociación con variables sociodemográficas y otros comportamientos relacionados con la salud.

OBJECTIVES: To describe leisure-time physical activity at the levels considered more beneficial for health and to analyze the association with sociodemographic variables and other health behaviors, among the population older than 14 years in Barcelona, Spain. METHODS: A sample of 4,171 adults answered the Health Interview Survey of Barcelona in 1992. Those who had participated less than three times (20 minutes at least) in moderate and/or intense exercise in the week before to the interview were considered inactive. Bivariate and multivariate analyse using logistic regression were used to study the association of leisure-time physical activity and the study variables. RESULTS: 80.7% of population older than 14 years in Barcelona participated less than three times in moderate and/or intense leisure-time physical activity and 20% did not participate in any exercise. Inactivity was higher in women, and increased significantly with age and in people with a low socioeconomic level. Men and women with incomplete primary studies were more likely to be inactive than people with graduate studies (ORa-adjusted odds ratio-1.8, 95% confidence interval-CI-: 1.1-2.9 and 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.4 respectively). For men working eight or more hours with interruption per day the ORa for inactivity was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2-2.9) with respect to men working less than eight hours without interruption. Smoking men were more inactive than non smokers. CONCLUSIONS: These result suggest that health promotion programmes to promote physical activity for adult in Barcelona should facilitate the incorporation of older people, women, people with low socioeconomic level and the working population, besides reinforcing sports habits among the youngest population.

[Habitual physical activity in a population residing in the city of Barcelona]. / Actividad física habitual de la población residente en la ciudad de Barcelona.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the sociodemographic distribution of habitual physical activity and to analyse its relationship with self-perceived health status and occupational status, among the population older that 16 years of age in the city of Barcelona, Spain. METHODS: A sample of 1,885 adult men and 2,196 women answered the Health Interview Survey of Barcelona in 1992. Those whose habitual activity required high physical exertion or walking were considered as active. Bivariate and multivariate analyses adjusting logistic regression models were used to study the relationship between habitual physical activity and the rest of variables, for each occupational situation. RESULTS: Fifty six percent of adults reported being physically active. Physical activity was lower among workers than non workers, although workers reported more physical exertion (14.5% in men and 8.0% in women). Physical activity was associated with occupation and educational level among male workers, but only with occupation among female workers. In the non working population, physical activity was lower among those who perceived their health status as fair or poor, compared with those that described it as good or very good, (ORa in men was 0.2, 95% confidence interval = 0.1-0.5; ORa in women was 0.5, 95% confidence interval = 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the Barcelona population were physically active in an habitual manner. Among workers, this activity was mainly determined by the occupation. Non-workers with a poor self-perceived health status did less physical activity.