Enfermedades infecciosas importadas asociadas a los desplazamientos internacionales de inmigrantes adultos en visita a familiares y amigos / Imported infectious diseases associated with international trips by adult immigrants to visit family and friends

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Valorar las enfermedades infecciosas importadas por inmigrantes que realizaron visitas a familiares y amigos (VFA). Métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo de todas las enfermedades infecciosas importadas en pacientes adultos 01/2001-12/2008. Los grupos de estudio definidos fueron a) inmigrantes VFA; b) turistas, y c) inmigrantes no viajeros. Las enfermedades se clasificaron según su tipo en cosmopolitas y endémicas tropicales; según su gravedad en a) leves, b) graves, y c) potencialmente letales. Resultados: Se analizaron 761 individuos; edad 31,7 (DE 12,4) años; inmigrantes VFA=90, turistas=269, inmigrantes no-viajeros=402. Los inmigrantes VFA acudieron menos a las Consultas de Consejo a Viajeros que los turistas (32,2% frente a 57,2%; p <0,001) y viajaron con mayor frecuencia a África subsahariana (33,3% frente a 20,4%; p=0,01). Las enfermedades potencialmente letales fueron más frecuentes en inmigrantes VFA con OR = 5,16 (IC95% 2,08–12,8) en relación a turistas y OR=7,17 (IC95% 2,82–18,2) a inmigrantes no viajeros. Conclusiones: Los inmigrantes VFA viajaron con más frecuencia al África subsahariana e importaron más enfermedades de curso agudo potencialmente letal (AU)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the infectious diseases imported by immigrants visiting friends and relatives in their countries of origin. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of all imported infectious diseases among adult patients between 01/2001-12/2008. The study population was classified in 3 groups a)immigrants visiting friends and relatives; b) tourists, and c) non-travelling immigrants. Diseases were classified as (a) cosmopolitan or (b) tropical endemic, and, according to their severity as (a) mild, (b) serious, and (c) potentially lethal. Results: A total of 761 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 31.7 (SD 12.4) years. Of these, there were 90 immigrants visiting friends and relatives, 269 tourists and 402 non-travelling immigrants. Immigrants visiting friends and relatives attended International Health Centres prior to travel significantly less than tourists (32.2% vs. 57.2%; p <0.001) and more frequently travelled to sub-Saharan Africa (33.3% vs. 20.4%; p=0.01). Imported diseases considered as potentially lethal were more likely among immigrants visiting friends and relatives than tourists [OR=5.16 (95%CI 2.08–12.8)] and non-travelling immigrants [OR=7.17 (95%CI 2.82–18.2)]. Conclusions: Immigrants visiting friends and relatives travelled more to sub-Saharan Africa and more frequently imported potentially lethal acute diseases (AU)