Keywords
Legionella
legionellosis
morbidity
hospital mortality
epidemiology
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: Spain has reported the highest incidence rates for Legionnaires' disease in Europe. The aim is to perform a descriptive epidemiological study about morbidity and hospital mortality for Legionnaires' disease, 2002-2006 as well as to study the geographical distribution in Autonomous Communities and determine the correlation between hospital morbidity an seasonal temperature.
Methods: Data were mainly obtained from the minimum basic hospital discharge data set provided by the Ministry of Health and population figures from the National Statistics Institute. Statistical tests applied were: Kolmogorov, z- for two proportions, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's correlation r.
Results: The five-year average for Hospital Discharge Rate (HDR) was 2,5 per 100.000 inhabitants. The highest HDR was between 76-80 years age range. Male predominance was observed in all age ranges but 21-25. Median hospital length of stay was 8 days. The Autonomous Communities with the highest HDR were Navarre 6,6, Aragon 4,89, Basque Country 4,65, and Catalonia 4,6. An incidence peak was found in early autumn. The HDR correlated to environmental the temperature with a phase difference of two months. The five-year average of Case Fatality Rate (CFR) found was 0,15 per 100.000 population and lethality 6,17 % of hospitalisations.
Conclusions: Legionnaires' disease is an endemic illness in Spain. This condition mainly affects males over the age of 71 years. The highest incidence corresponds to late summer and early autumn. The incidence of morbidity and mortality are different among various regions of Spain.
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