Comparing Exposure to Psychosocial Risks: Face-to-Face Work vs. Telework.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, substantial changes have occurred in the work organization and arrangements. One of the main ones has been the popularization of teleworking among non-manual workers. This paper aims to assess the exposure of psychosocial risks among non-manual Spanish wage-earners, depending on the working modality (mainly telework, combining teleworking with onsite work, or onsite work). METHODS: Based on an online survey conducted between April and May 2021, a cross-sectional study was carried out among n=11,519 members of a trade union where Psychosocial Risks (PSR) were measured through COPSOQ Questionnaire Scales. All analyses were performed stratifying by sex. RESULTS: Women who combine telework and face-to-face work (aPR: 1.21; 95%CI 1.07-1.37) and men who mainly telework (aPR: 1.26; 95%CI 1.11-1.43) and that combine (aPR: 1.27; 95%CI 1.11-1.45) are more exposed to quantitative demands than men and women who do not telework. On the other hand, women who telework, either entirely (aPR: 0.89; 95%CI 0.82-0.97) or combining (aPR: 0.89; 95%CI 0.81-0.98), are less exposed to emotional demands than women who do not telework, and the same occurs among men who mainly telework (aPR: 0.84; 95%CI 0.76-0.92). Telework and horizontal or vertical social support are not associated, except for supervisor support among males, nor with work-life conflict. CONCLUSIONS: Except for quantitative demands, employees who combine telework and face-to-face work are less exposed to psychosocial risks than those who mainly telework or work face-to-face only. More studies with a gender and class perspective are needed in this area.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia (Spain).

We carried out a retrospective study of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks reported between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 in Catalonia (Spain) to compare the incidence from 2015 to 2019 with that observed from 2020 to 2021. We observed a higher incidence rate of outbreaks during the prepandemic period (16.89 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years) than during the pandemic period (6.96 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years) (rate ratio (RR) 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34 to 0.51). According to the aetiology of the outbreak, those of viral aetiology decreased from 7.82 to 3.38 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years (RR 2.31; 95% CI 1.72 to 3.12), and those of bacterial aetiology decreased from 5.01 to 2.78 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.52). There was a great reduction in AGE outbreaks in Catalonia. This reduction may have been due to the effect of the nonpharmaceutical measures applied to reduce the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the collapse of the healthcare system and epidemiological surveillance services may also have had a strong influence.

Risk of partial school closure for COVID-19 by socio-economic level in the period 2020-22.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to analyse the risk of partial school closure by economic level in Barcelona city. METHODS: In this ecological study, the risk of partial school closure for the academic years 2020-21 and 2021-22 was estimated by dividing the total number of days that each child was in quarantine or isolation by the total number of days that each child was at risk to be in quarantine or isolation in the academic year. The association between partial school closure risk and mean income by district was estimated with the Spearman rho. RESULTS: The lower the mean income, the higher the risk of partial closure (Spearman rho = 0.83; P-value = 0.003) during the academic year 2020-21. Specifically, the children from the district with the lowest income had a six times greater risk of partial school closure compared with those from the highest-income district. This risk did not show a significant socioeconomic gradient in the academic year 2021-22. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of partial school closure presented an inverse socioeconomic gradient in the city of Barcelona according to average income by district in the academic year 2020-21. This distribution was not observed in the academic year 2021-22.

The role of skin inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and oral tolerance in skin sensitization to gluten-derived hydrolysates in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Adverse reactions to wheat-containing skin care products have been linked to food allergy development. OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of skin barrier dysfunction and inflammation in sensitization to gluten-derived hydrolysates via the skin in Brown Norway rats with and without oral tolerance to wheat. METHODS: Skin barrier defect was induced by mechanical disruption, and skin inflammation was induced by topical application of SLS or MC903. Unmodified, enzyme hydrolyzed, or acid hydrolyzed gluten products were applied to the skin three times per week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, rats were orally gavaged with unmodified gluten. RESULTS: Wheat-naïve rats were readily sensitized to gluten hydrolysates via the skin. Skin barrier defect and skin inflammation had little effect on the skin sensitization and hydrolysate-specific IgE levels. Oral administration of unmodified gluten promoted the production of unmodified gluten-specific IgE in rats sensitized via the skin. Sensitization through intact skin, disrupted skin barrier, or inflamed skin was unable to break tolerance to unmodified gluten in rats on a wheat-containing diet. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical skin barrier disruption and skin inflammation play a limited role in experimental skin sensitization to gluten-derived hydrolysates.

Etiological analysis of discarded measles in the context of a measles outbreak among a highly immunized population.

BACKGROUND: Measles can lead to serious complications and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study we aimed to assess the etiological diagnosis of discarded measles cases in the context of an outbreak among a highly immunized population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of discarded measles cases from an outbreak that occurred from October 2006 to July 2007 in Catalonia. A confirmed case was defined as having a positive measles serum IgM result and/or a positive result by RT-PCR in urine and/or nasopharyngeal swab; or an epidemiological link to a confirmed case. Serum specimens were tested by a commercially available indirect-format and by an in-house capture-format measles IgM enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: Testing of 89 samples discarded for measles determined the etiologies for 10 (11.2%), including one rubella, three human herpes virus 6, and six measles infections. Of 381 confirmed cases in the outbreak, 10% had received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine versus 54% of the discarded for measles (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.14; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Highly sensitive surveillance systems are critical to identifying cases, responding to outbreaks and verifying progress towards measles elimination. Molecular tools for measles detection and differential diagnosis, and collection of appropriate specimens for molecular and serological testing are essential to correctly diagnose suspected measles infection.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Children, Catalonia, Spain.

We analyzed the effect of COVID-19 on healthcare demand and invasive pneumococcal disease in children in Catalonia, Spain. Compared with 2018-2019, we noted large reductions in healthcare activities and incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in 2020. These changes likely resulted from nonpharmaceutical measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surveillance of influenza B severe hospitalized cases during 10 seasons in Catalonia: Does the lineage make a difference?

Influenza B viruses circulate in two lineages (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata). Although classically affecting children, recently it has shown a high rate of infection and increased hospitalization in the elderly. To describe and analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of severe hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza B virus (SHLCI-B) cases in Catalonia associated with mismatch from Influenza B virus strain included in the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). SHLCI-B was registered by the influenza sentinel surveillance system of Catalonia (PIDIRAC) during ten surveillance seasons from 2010 to 2020. Variables age, comorbidities, and vaccination status were recorded. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated as (1-OR) for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. A total of 1159 SHLCI-B were registered, of these 68.2% (791) corresponded to the 2017-2018 season; 21.8% (253) were admitted to ICU and 13.8% (160) were exitus; 62.5% (725) cases occurred in those aged >64 years; most frequent risk factor was cardiovascular disease (35.1%, 407) followed by chronic pulmonary obstructive disease-COPD (24.6%, 285) and diabetes (24.1%, 279). In four seasons, the predominant circulating lineage was B/Victoria, in two seasons the B/Yamagata lineage and four seasons had no IBV activity. Four seasons presented discordance with the strain included within the TIV. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) to prevent ICU admission was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4%-51%; p = 0.03); being 29% (95% CI: -3% to 51%) in discordant and 43% (95% CI:-43% to 77%) in concordant seasons. Significant differences were observed in the number of affected aged > 64 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.9-3.4; p < 0.001) and in patients with heart disease (OR = 2.40 95% CI: 1.7-3.4; p < 0.001), COPD (OR = 1.6 95% CI: 1.1-2.3; p = 0.01), and diabetes (OR = 1.5 95% CI: 1.1-2.1; p = 0.04) between discordant and concordant seasons. The increase in hospitalization rate in people> 64 years of age and those presenting comorbidities in seasons with circulating influenza B virus belonging to a lineage discordant with the strain included in the TIV and the decrease of VE to prevent ICU admissions evidence the vital need to administer the quadrivalent influenza vaccine regardless of the findings of predominant circulation in the previous season.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact tracing of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic could have negative effects on tuberculosis (TB) control. The objective was to assess the impact of the pandemic in contact tracing, TB and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in contacts of patients with pulmonary TB in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: Contact tracing was carried out in cases of pulmonary TB detected during 14 months in the pre-pandemic period (1 January 2019 to 28 February 2020) and 14 months in the pandemic period (1 March 2020 to 30 April 2021). Contacts received the tuberculin skin test and/or interferon gamma release assay and it was determined whether they had TB or LTBI. Variables associated with TB or LTBI in contacts (study period and sociodemographic variables) were analyzed using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The pre-pandemic and pandemic periods showed, respectively: 503 and 255 pulmonary TB reported cases (reduction of 50.7%); and 4676 and 1687 contacts studied (reduction of 36.1%). In these periods, the proportion of TB cases among the contacts was 1.9% (84/4307) and 2.2% (30/1381) (P = 0.608); and the proportion of LTBI was 25.3% (1090/4307) and 29.2% (403/1381) (P < 0.001). The pandemic period was associated to higher LTBI proportion (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.5), taking into account the effect on LTBI of the other variables studied as sex, age, household contact and migrant status. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is affecting TB control due to less exhaustive TB and LTBI case detection. An increase in LTBI was observed during the pandemic period. Efforts should be made to improve detection of TB and LTBI among contacts of TB cases.

Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in closed and semi-closed facilities during 2017 in Catalonia, Spain.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a leading cause of disease worldwide. The aim of this prospective observational study is to describe the epidemiology of AGE in closed and semi-closed institutions in Catalonia. In 2017, 151 outbreaks were reported; 30.5% occurred in closed and semi-closed institutions; 71.7% caused by norovirus (NoV) (1532) cases. Person-to-person transmission accounted for 75.8% of NoV outbreaks vs 46.1% in non-NoV outbreaks (p < 0.001). Attack rate for NoV outbreaks was 33.1% vs 14.3% for non-NoV outbreaks (RR = 2.3; 95%CI: 2.0-2.7). The high number of affected underscores prompt and intense preventive measures to avoid the extension and perpetuation of outbreaks in these settings.

Azithromycin to Prevent Pertussis in Household Contacts, Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, 2012-2013.

We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of azithromycin in preventing transmission of pertussis to a patient's household contacts. We also considered the duration between symptom onset in the primary patient and azithromycin administration. We categorized contacts into 4 groups: those treated within <7 days, 8-14 days, 15-21 days, and >21 days after illness onset in the primary patient. We studied 476 primary index patients and their 1,975 household contacts, of whom 4.5% were later identified as having pertussis. When contacts started chemoprophylaxis within <21 days after the primary patient's symptom onset, the treatment was 43.9% effective. Chemoprophylaxis started >14 days after primary patient's symptom onset was less effective. We recommend that contacts of persons with pertussis begin chemoprophylaxis within <14 days after primary patient's symptom onset.

Failures of 13-Valent Conjugated Pneumococcal Vaccine in Age-Appropriately Vaccinated Children 2-59 Months of Age, Spain.

Vaccination with the 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal disease (PCV13) has reduced invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but there have been reports of vaccine failures. We performed a prospective study in children aged 2-59 months who received diagnoses of IPD during January 2012-June 2016 in 3 pediatric hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, a region with a PCV13 vaccination coverage of 63%. We analyzed patients who had been age-appropriately vaccinated but who developed IPD caused by PCV13 serotypes. We detected 24 vaccine failure cases. The serotypes involved were 3 (16 cases); 19A (5 cases); and 1, 6B, and 14 (1 case each). Cases were associated with children without underlying conditions, with complicated pneumonia (OR 6.65, 95% CI 1.91-23.21), and with diagnosis by PCR (OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.84-14.59). Vaccination coverage should be increased to reduce the circulation of vaccine serotypes. Continuous surveillance of cases of IPD using both culture and PCR to characterize vaccine failures is necessary.

Significant decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C infection after the introduction of direct acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Accurate information on the epidemiology of hepatitis C and B infection is mandatory to establish a national/regional plan. We aim to update the prevalence of hepatitis C and B infection in Catalonia using point-of-care tests to analyze the risk factors related and to implement a linkage-to-care circuit. METHODS: This is a community-based study. A random list of adult individuals was retrieved from censuses of primary care centers. Point-of-care tests for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and a questionnaire for risk factor assessment were performed. Positive results were validated and a circuit for linkage-to-care was established. RESULTS: A total of 3328 individuals were included. The anti-HCV and HBsAg overall prevalence were lower than expected [1.02%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-1.39; and 0.52%, 95% CI 0.26-0.77, respectively]. Anti-HCV positive subjects were mostly (88%) autochthonous. The prevalence increased with age; only 12% were under age 40. The associated risk factors were drug use, blood transfusion, relative with HCV, and diabetes. Notably, the prevalence of active infection was only 0.49% (95% CI 0.23-0.74), 40% less than previously reported, reflecting the impact of direct acting antiviral therapy. Differently, HBsAg positive subjects were mostly foreign migrants (53%) with no other risk factors. Despite the implementation of a linkage-to-care circuit, one third of HBsAg positive subjects were lost. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HCV infection was lower than previously reported, showing a strong impact of direct acting antiviral therapy in the last years. Because of hepatitis B universal vaccination, HBV infection in Catalonia is mainly associated with migrant population. Linkage-to-care in patients with hepatitis B was challenging and warrants additional efforts.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Influenza Activity in a Pediatric Population: Impact of PCV13 Vaccination in Pandemic and Nonpandemic Influenza Periods.

The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence, clinical presentation, and severity of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)-causing serotypes and the impact of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination during epidemic and nonepidemic influenza periods in Catalonia, Spain. This was a prospective study in persons aged <18 years diagnosed with IPD between 2012 and 2015 in three Catalan pediatric hospitals. IPD was defined as clinical infection together with isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae by culture and/or detection by reverse transcription-PCR in a normally sterile sample. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and the fraction of IPD prevented associated with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) were calculated. The bivariate analysis used the χ2 test and the multivariate analysis nonconditional logistic regression. A total of 229 cases of IPD were recorded. The incidence was higher during influenza epidemic periods (IRR, 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05 to 3.55; P < 0.001), especially for pneumonia (IRR, 3.25; 95% CI, 2.36 to 4.47; P < 0.001), with no differences in the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes. Complications during admission and sequel at discharge were greater during epidemic periods (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.77; P = 0.03) than at nonepidemic periods (aOR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.37 to 8.29; P = 0.01). The prevented fraction for the population (PFp) of IPD in children aged 7 to 59 months was 48% to 49.4%. The PFp was higher in influenza epidemic than nonepidemic periods and increased when ≥2 doses of PCV13 or ≥1 after 24 months were administered. Influenza virus circulation increases the incidence of IPD in persons aged <18 years. In influenza epidemic periods, IPD cases were more severe. Increased PCV13 coverage might increase the fraction of IPD prevented in epidemic and nonepidemic periods.

Mumps: MMR vaccination and genetic diversity of mumps virus, 2007-2011 in Catalonia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease but outbreaks have been reported in persons vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine. The objective was to describe the demographic features, vaccination effectiveness and genetic mumps virus diversity among laboratory-confirmed cases between 2007 and 2011 in Catalonia. METHODS: Cases and outbreaks of mumps notified to the notifiable diseases system of Catalonia between 2007 and 2011 retrospectively registered were included. Public health care centres provided written immunization records to regional public health staff to determine the vaccination history. Saliva and serum specimens were collected from suspected cases for laboratory-confirmation using real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (rtRT-PCR) or serological testing. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete SH gene (316 nucleotides) and complete coding HN protein (1749 nucleotides) sequences was made. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square or Fisher's tests and continuous variables using the Student test. Vaccination effectiveness by number of MMR doses was estimated using the screening method. RESULTS: During the study period, 581 confirmed cases of mumps were notified (incidence rate 1.6 cases/100,000 persons-year), of which 60% were male. Three hundred sixty-four laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, of which 44% were confirmed by rtRT-PCR. Of the 289 laboratory-confirmed cases belonging to vaccination cohorts, 33.5% (97) had received one dose of MMR vaccine and 50% (145) two doses. Based on phylogenetic analyses of 316-nucleotide and 174-nucleotide SH sequences, the viruses belonging to viral genotypes were: genotype G (126), genotype D (23), genotype H (2), genotype F (2), genotype J (1), while one remained uncharacterized. Amino acid differences were detected between circulating strains and the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strains, although the majority of amino acid substitutions were genotype-specific. Fifty-one outbreaks were notified that included 324 confirmed mumps cases. Genotype G was the most frequent genotype detected. The family (35%), secondary schools (25%) and community outbreaks (18%) were the most frequent settings. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that genotype G viruses are the most prevalent in Catalonia. Most cases occurred in people who had received two doses of MMR, suggesting inadequate effectiveness of the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain. The possible factors related are discussed.

Assessment of two complementary influenza surveillance systems: sentinel primary care influenza-like illness versus severe hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza using the moving epidemic method.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring seasonal influenza epidemics is the corner stone to epidemiological surveillance of acute respiratory virus infections worldwide. This work aims to compare two sentinel surveillance systems within the Daily Acute Respiratory Infection Information System of Catalonia (PIDIRAC), the primary care ILI and Influenza confirmed samples from primary care (PIDIRAC-ILI and PIDIRAC-FLU) and the severe hospitalized laboratory confirmed influenza system (SHLCI), in regard to how they behave in the forecasting of epidemic onset and severity allowing for healthcare preparedness. METHODS: Epidemiological study carried out during seven influenza seasons (2010-2017) in Catalonia, with data from influenza sentinel surveillance of primary care physicians reporting ILI along with laboratory confirmation of influenza from systematic sampling of ILI cases and 12 hospitals that provided data on severe hospitalized cases with laboratory-confirmed influenza (SHLCI-FLU). Epidemic thresholds for ILI and SHLCI-FLU (overall) as well as influenza A (SHLCI-FLUA) and influenza B (SHLCI-FLUB) incidence rates were assessed by the Moving Epidemics Method. RESULTS: Epidemic thresholds for primary care sentinel surveillance influenza-like illness (PIDIRAC-ILI) incidence rates ranged from 83.65 to 503.92 per 100.000 h. Paired incidence rate curves for SHLCI -FLU / PIDIRAC-ILI and SHLCI-FLUA/ PIDIRAC-FLUA showed best correlation index' (0.805 and 0.724 respectively). Assessing delay in reaching epidemic level, PIDIRAC-ILI source forecasts an average of 1.6 weeks before the rest of sources paired. Differences are higher when SHLCI cases are paired to PIDIRAC-ILI and PIDIRAC-FLUB although statistical significance was observed only for SHLCI-FLU/PIDIRAC-ILI (p-value Wilcoxon test = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The combined ILI and confirmed influenza from primary care along with the severe hospitalized laboratory confirmed influenza data from PIDIRAC sentinel surveillance system provides timely and accurate syndromic and virological surveillance of influenza from the community level to hospitalization of severe cases.

[False beliefs about vaccines]. / Falsas creencias sobre las vacunas.

Vaccines are an essential tool for the prevention of infectious diseases. However, false ideas and rumours with no scientific foundation about their possible negative effects may dissuade people from being vaccinated, with the consequent risks for the health of the population. The objective of this article is to evaluate the origin and the arguments of some of the most frequent mistaken ideas and rumours about the possible adverse effects of vaccines. Some clearly established adverse effects are presented, as well as false beliefs about various vaccines and potential harm to health. Vaccines, like any drug, can cause adverse effects, but the possible adverse effects of vaccination programs are clearly lower than their individual (vaccinated) and collective benefits (those vaccinated and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons). The possible adverse effects attributable to vaccines should be detected by powerful and well-structured pharmacovigilance systems.

A Composite of Functional Status and Pneumonia Severity Index Improves the Prediction of Pneumonia Mortality in Older Patients.

BACKGROUND: The baseline health status may be a determinant of interest in the evolution of pneumonia. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the predictive ability of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) mortality by combining the Barthel Index (BI) and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) in patients aged ≥ 65 years. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MAIN MEASURES: In this prospective, observational, multicenter analysis of comorbidities, the clinical data, additional examinations and severity of CAP were measured by the PSI and functional status by the BI. Two multivariable models were generated: Model 1 including the PSI and BI and model 2 with PSI plus BI stratified categorically. KEY RESULTS: The total population was 1919 patients, of whom 61% had severe pneumonia (PSI IV-V) and 40.4% had some degree of dependence (BI ≤ 90 points). Mortality in the PSI V-IV group was 12.5%. Some degree of dependence was associated with increased mortality in both the mild (7.2% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.016) and severe (14% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001) pneumonia groups. The combination of PSI IV-V and BI ≤ 90 was the greatest risk factor for mortality (aOR 4.17; 95% CI 2.48 to 7.02) in our series. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a bimodal model to assess CAP mortality (PSI + BI) provides more accurate prognostic information than the use of each index separately.

Repeated influenza vaccination for preventing severe and fatal influenza infection in older adults: a multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of repeated vaccination for influenza to prevent severe cases remains unclear. We evaluated the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on preventing admissions to hospital for influenza and reducing disease severity. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in 20 hospitals in Spain during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 influenza seasons. Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older who were admitted to hospital for laboratory-confirmed influenza were matched with inpatient controls by sex, age, hospital and admission date. The effectiveness of vaccination in the current and 3 previous seasons in preventing influenza was estimated for inpatients with nonsevere influenza and for those with severe influenza who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) or who died. RESULTS: We enrolled 130 inpatients with severe and 598 with nonsevere influenza who were matched to 333 and 1493 controls, respectively. Compared with patients who were unvaccinated in the current and 3 previous seasons, adjusted effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the current and any previous season was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13%-46%) in preventing admission to hospital for nonsevere influenza, 74% (95% CI 42%-88%) in preventing admissions to ICU and 70% (95% CI 34%-87%) in preventing death. Vaccination in the current season only had no significant effect on cases of severe influenza. Among inpatients with influenza, vaccination in the current and any previous season reduced the risk of severe outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.76). INTERPRETATION: Among older adults, repeated vaccination for influenza was twice as effective in preventing severe influenza compared with nonsevere influenza in patients who were admitted to hospital, which is attributable to the combination of the number of admissions to hospital for influenza that were prevented and reduced disease severity. These results reinforce recommendations for annual vaccination for influenza in older adults.

Hepatitis A surveillance: sensitivity of two information sources.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of mild forms of hepatitis A, especially in children, could lead to underreporting. The objective of the study was to investigate the sensitivity of two surveillance systems, mandatory Statutory Disease Reports and the Microbiological Reporting System of Catalonia, using capture-recapture techniques. METHODS: The study was conducted in Catalonia between 2011 and 2015. Hepatitis A cases reported to two independent surveillance systems were included: Statutory Disease Reports (SDR) and Microbiological Reporting System of Catalonia (MRS). The variables collected were: age, sex, year of declaration, size of municipality (< 10,000 and ≥ 10,000), country of birth (Spain or abroad), reporting centre (primary care/hospital) and notification method (electronic or paper). The capture-recapture analysis and the estimate of 95% confidence intervals were made using the Chapman formula for comparison of two sources, both for the estimate of the total number of cases and the stratification according to variables. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to obtain an adjusted estimate. RESULTS: The SDR had a greater overall sensitivity than the MRS (48.8%; 43.5-55.6 vs. 19.3%; 17.2-21.9). In cases aged < 15 years the sensitivity of both systems was higher (76.6%; 72.7-81 vs. 25.2%; 20.9-29.5) than in cases aged > 15 years (25.5%; 22.8-28.3 vs. 12.1%; 10-14.2). For those born in Spain, the sensitivity was 57.2% (49.6-67.4) in the SDR and 27.1% (23.5-31.9) in the MRS, lower than that for foreign-born patients (58%; 51.2-66.8 vs. 49.1%; 43.4-56.6). In electronically-reported cases, the sensitivity was much higher in the SDR than in the MRS (47.2%; 42.3-52.1 vs. 9.4%; 6.5-12.3). No differences were observed according to sex, size of municipality, and year of declaration or reporting centre. The estimated total number of cases using the Chapman formula was very similar to the adjusted estimate (1121; 985-1258 vs. 1120; 876-1525), indicating the robustness of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of the SDR was greater than that of MRS, especially in patients aged < 15 years, although for patients born abroad the difference in sensitivity was lower. Reinforced surveillance combining the SDR and MRS improves the efficiency in the detection of cases.

Asthma and influenza vaccination in elderly hospitalized patients: Matched case-control study in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Influenza infection is an exacerbating factor for asthma, and its prevention is critical in managing asthmatic patients. We investigated the effect of influenza vaccination on asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in Spain. METHODS: We made a matched case-control study to assess the frequency of hospitalization for influenza in people aged ≥65 years. Hospitalized patients with unplanned hospital admissions were recruited from 20 hospitals representing seven Spanish regions. Cases were defined as those hospitalized due to a laboratory-confirmed influenza infection and controls were matched by age, sex, and hospital. Data were obtained from clinical records, and patients stratified by clinical asthma history. Vaccination status and asthma due to influenza infection were analyzed according to sociodemographic variables and medical risk conditions. Multivariable analysis was made using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: 582 hospitalized patients with influenza (15.8% asthmatic) and 1,570 hospitalized patients without influenza (7.9% asthmatic) were included. In the multivariable conditional logistic regression using unvaccinated and non-asthmatic patients as the reference group, vaccination significantly prevented influenza in non-asthmatic patients (aOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.88) and also showed a trend for a possibly protective effect in asthmatic patients (aOR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.34, 1.81). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that influenza vaccination could be a protective factor for asthmatic patients, although the results are inconclusive and further research is required. Practically, given the better clinical evolution of vaccinated asthma cases, and the lack of better evidence, the emphasis on vaccination of this group should continue.