[Effect of influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population in Gran Canaria: A cross-sectional study]. / Efecto de la vacunación antigripal en trabajadores de atención primaria y población general de Gran Canaria: estudio transversal.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of the influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population vaccinated during the 2015/2016 campaign. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: All the Primary Healthcare centres within the Gran Canaria healthcare region. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,868 Primary Healthcare workers (33.5% men; 66.5% women) and 795,605 individuals from the general population (49.4% men; 50.6% women). PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: The outcome variables in Primary Healthcare workers were: influenza cases reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance System, and the sick leave days due to illness. In the general population: reported flu cases and vaccination coverage in connection with the vaccination status of the healthcare professional. The magnitude of association between vaccination and morbidity was estimated applying logistic regression models. RESULTS: Although not statistically significant, healthcare professionals that were not vaccinated had 1.7-fold increase in the risk of having influenza than those vaccinated. In the general population the association was significant in the female population (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.5). Population coverage was significantly higher when both the doctor and nurse were vaccinated (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 1.3-1.3), and reported flu cases decreased when the nurse was vaccinated (OR: 0.9; 95%CI: 0.9-0.9). CONCLUSION: A possible protective effect of influenza vaccination was observed in the general population, as well as an influence of Primary Healthcare workers on the patients regarding this. Even so, the low coverages registered point to a need to implement measures that may lead to a more favourable attitude towards influenza vaccination.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection According to Previous Metabolic Status and Its Association with Mortality and Post-Acute COVID-19.

Background. SARS-CoV-2 infection was analyzed according to previous metabolic status and its association with mortality and post-acute COVID-19. Methods. A population-based observational retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 110,726 patients aged 12 years or more who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection between June 1st, 2021, and 28 February 2022 on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain. Results. In the 347 patients who died, the combination of advanced age, male sex, cancer, immunosuppressive therapy, coronary heart disease, elevated total cholesterol and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was strongly predictive of mortality (p < 0.05). In the 555 patients who developed post-acute COVID-19, the persistence of symptoms was most frequent in women, older subjects and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, asthma, elevated fasting glucose levels or elevated total cholesterol (p < 0.05). A complete vaccination schedule was associated with lower mortality (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.5, 95%CI 0.39−0.64; p < 0.05) and post-acute COVID-19 (IRR 0.37, 95%CI 0.31−0.44; p < 0.05). Conclusions. Elevated HDL-C and elevated total cholesterol were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality. Elevated fasting glucose levels and elevated total cholesterol were risk factors for the development of post-acute COVID-19.

Estudio epidemiológico sobre el impacto de la vacunación antigripal en la evolución clínica de pacientes con COVID-19 y la coinfección por ambos virus en Gran Canaria, España / Epidemiological study on the impact of influenza vaccination on the clinical course of patients with COVID-19 and co-infection by both viruses in Gran Canaria, Spain

Objetivo: Analizar la frecuencia de coinfecciones entre los virus gripales y el SARS-CoV-2, además de las diferencias en la evolución (riesgo de mortalidad, ingreso hospitalario o en intensivos) de los pacientes infectados por el virus del SARS-CoV-2 según vacunación o no vacunación de la gripe en la temporada 2021-2022. Método: Estudio retrospectivo observacional de base poblacional en una cohorte de 19.850 pacientes diagnosticados de COVID-19 entre el 1 de junio de 2021 y 28 de febrero de 2022 en la isla de Gran Canaria. Resultados. Fueron vacunados de la gripe 1.789 personas, el 9% del total de pacientes diagnosticados de COVID-19. 13.676 personas (68,9%) contaban con pauta completa de vacunación del COVID-19. En el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de junio de 2021 y 28 de febrero de 2022 se registraron 8 casos de coinfección gripe y COVID-19. Hipertensión (18,5%), asma (12,8%) y diabetes (7,2%) fueron las comorbilidades más frecuentes. Hubo 147 defunciones (0,7%). Las personas de mayor edad ([OR] 1,11 IC 95% 1,09-1,13) y con cáncer ([OR] 4,21 IC 95% 2,58-6,89) tuvieron mayor riesgo de fallecer por COVID-19 (p<0,05). El sexo femenino fue considerado un factor protector ([OR] 0,61 IC 95% 0,40-0,92). Conclusiones: La edad avanzada, el sexo masculino y el cáncer fueron factores pronósticos independientes de mortalidad. Tres dosis de la vacuna del SARS-CoV-2 y la vacuna de la gripe fueron altamente efectivas para prevenir muertes e ingresos relacionados con COVID-19. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la vacunación contra la gripe puede ayudar a controlar la pandemia. (AU)

Objectives: To analyze the frequency of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections, as well as the differences in the course of disease (risk of mortality, hospital and intensive care admissions) in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in relation to flu vaccination status in the 2021-2022 season.Methodology. Population-based observational retrospective study in a cohort of 19,850 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022 on the island of Gran Canaria. Results: A total of 1,789 patients (9%) diagnosed with COVID-19 had received flu vaccinations. 13,676 people (68.9%) had a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations. In the period between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, 8 cases of flu and COVID-19 coinfection were recorded. Hypertension (18.5%), asthma (12.8%) and diabetes (7.2%) were the most frequent comorbidities. There were 147 deaths (0.7%). Older patients ([OR] 1.11 95% CI 1.09-1.13) and people with cancer ([OR] 4.21 95% CI 2.58-6.89) had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (p<0.05). Female sex was noted as a protective factor ([OR] 0.61 95% CI 0.40-0.92). Conclusions: Old age, male sex and cancer were independent prognostic factors for mortality. Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and influenza vaccines were highly effective in preventing COVID-19-related deaths and hospital admissions. These findings suggest that flu vaccination can help control the pandemic. (AU)

Efecto de la vacunación antigripal en trabajadores de atención primaria y población general de Gran Canaria: estudio transversal / Effect of influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population in Gran Canaria: A cross-sectional study

Objetivo: Estimar el efecto de la vacunación antigripal en los trabajadores de atención primaria y en la población atendida durante la campaña de vacunación antigripal 2015/2016. Diseño: Estudio transversal. Emplazamiento: Todos los centros asistenciales de atención primaria del Área de Salud de Gran Canaria. Participantes: Un total de 1.868 profesionales (33,5% hombres; 66,5% mujeres) y 795.605 personas de la población general (49,4% hombres; 50,6% mujeres). Mediciones principales: En profesionales, las variables de resultado fueron: declaraciones de gripe al Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica y días de incapacidad temporal por enfermedad; en población general: gripes declaradas y coberturas vacunales en función del estado vacunal del sanitario. Se estimó la magnitud de asociación entre la vacunación y la morbilidad mediante modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: Los profesionales sanitarios que no se vacunaron tuvieron un riesgo de tener gripe 1,7 veces superior al de los profesionales que se vacunaron, aunque la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa; en población general se encontró una asociación significativa solo en mujeres (OR: 1,3; IC95%: 1,1-1,5). La cobertura poblacional fue significativamente mayor cuando médico y enfermero estaban vacunados (OR: 1,3; IC 95%: 1,3-1,3), y el número de gripes declaradas disminuyó cuando el enfermero estaba vacunado (OR: 0,9; IC 95%: 0,9-0,9). Conclusiones: Se observó un posible efecto protector de la vacunación antigripal en la población general, así como una influencia del estado vacunal de los sanitarios en las coberturas de los pacientes. Aun así, las bajas coberturas registradas apuntan a una necesidad de implementar medidas que propicien una actitud más favorable frente a la vacunación antigripal

Objective: To estimate the effect of the influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population vaccinated during the 2015/2016 campaign. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: All the Primary Healthcare centres within the Gran Canaria healthcare region. Participants: A total of 1,868 Primary Healthcare workers (33.5% men; 66.5% women) and 795,605 individuals from the general population (49.4% men; 50.6% women). Principal measurements: The outcome variables in Primary Healthcare workers were: influenza cases reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance System, and the sick leave days due to illness. In the general population: reported flu cases and vaccination coverage in connection with the vaccination status of the healthcare professional. The magnitude of association between vaccination and morbidity was estimated applying logistic regression models. Results: Although not statistically significant, healthcare professionals that were not vaccinated had 1.7-fold increase in the risk of having influenza than those vaccinated. In the general population the association was significant in the female population (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5). Population coverage was significantly higher when both the doctor and nurse were vaccinated (OR: 1.3; 95 %CI: 1.3-1.3), and reported flu cases decreased when the nurse was vaccinated (OR: 0.9; 95%CI: 0.9-0.9). Conclusion: A possible protective effect of influenza vaccination was observed in the general population, as well as an influence of Primary Healthcare workers on the patients regarding this. Even so, the low coverages registered point to a need to implement measures that may lead to a more favourable attitude towards influenza vaccination

Características de la asistencia sanitaria a la llegada de inmigrantes africanos a las Islas Canarias / Health care for African immigrants arriving in the Canary Islands a descriptive study

Objetivo: Describir las características de la asistencia sanitaria a la llegada de los inmigrantes tanto en el ámbito de atención primaria (AP) como en el hospitalario, y, en este último, tanto la atención en urgencias y como en hospitalización. Método: Se diseñó un estudio descriptivo y transversal. El periodo de estudio comprendió desde el 15 de agosto hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2006. Se utilizaron tres tipos de población: una incluyó la totalidad de las asistencias realizadas en AP. La segunda abarcó el total de las asistencias realizadas en las urgencias hospitalarias y la tercera comprendió el total de pacientes ingresados en los 5 hospitales universitarios de Tenerife y Gran Canaria. Para las dos primeras el ámbito geográfico fue toda la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias. Resultados: Durante el periodo del estudio se realizaron en AP 3.658 asistencias y en las urgencias de los hospitales 1.122. El número de pacientes hospitalizados fue de111. Los motivos de asistencias más importantes fueron la revisión del estado de salud, los traumatismos y trastornos gastrointestinales en AP; el síndrome febril y el dolor abdominal en las urgencias hospitalarias; y los motivos más frecuentes de ingreso en los hospitales fueron el paludismo y los trastornos hidro-electrolíticos. Discusión: La llegada de embarcaciones con inmigrantes tras haber recorrido miles de kilómetros de distancia afectó en menor o mayor medida al estado de salud de muchos de ellos. Su asistencia sanitaria se gestionó en base al número de pacientes a atender en un intervalo de tiempo y por la gravedad de sus enfermedades (AU)

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of health care provided to arriving African immigrants, including primary care, hospital emergency care, and hospital admissions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from August 15 to December 31, 2006. Three datasets were used. One included all primary care visits. The second comprised all visits to hospital emergency rooms. The third covered all patients admitted to the 5 university hospitals on Tenerife and Grand Canary islands. The first 2 datasets included the entire area of the Spanish autonomous community of the Canary Islands. Results: A total of 3658 primary care visits and 1122 emergency room visits were recorded during the study period; 111patients were hospitalized. Most primary care visits were for a general health check-up, for trauma, or for gastrointestinal disorders. Fever and abdominal pain were the most common reasons for emergency visits. Malaria and dehydration or electrolyte imbalance were the reasons for most hospital admissions. Conclusions: The boat crossings of thousands of kilometers affect the health of many immigrants to greater or lesser degrees. Health care was managed according to the number of patients who had to be attended, the time available, and the seriousness of the condition (AU)