Gaceta Sanitaria (Dec 2010)
Incidencia y factores de riesgo de gastroenteritis en los peregrinos del Camino de Santiago durante el verano de 2008 en el camino francés Incidence and risk factors for acute gastroenteritis among pilgrims following the French way to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in summer 2008
Abstract
Objetivos: Conocer la incidencia de gastroenteritis aguda en los peregrinos del Camino de Santiago, los factores de riesgo asociados y su caracterización microbiológica. Métodos: Se diseñaron dos estudios simultáneos, uno transversal mediante encuestas autocumplimentadas de peregrinos llegados a Santiago y otro de casos y controles a los peregrinos en el camino. Se hizo un análisis multivariado mediante regresión logística. Resultados: En el estudio transversal la densidad de incidencia fue de 23,5 episodios de gastroenteritis aguda por 1.000 peregrinos-día (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 18,9-29,4/10³). En el estudio de casos y controles los factores de mayor riesgo fueron la edad Objectives: To determine the incidence of acute gastroenteritis in pilgrims on St. James´ Way, as well as associated risk factors and microbiological characteristics. Methods: Two studies were designed simultaneously: a cross-sectional study through self-completed questionnaires among pilgrims reaching Santiago, and a case-control study of pilgrims traveling along the Way. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Results: In the cross-sectional study, the incidence rate was 23.5 episodes of acute gastroenteritis/10³ pilgrims-day (95% CI: 18.9-2.4/10³). In the case-control study, the major risk factors were age <20 years (OR=4.72; 95% CI: 2.16-10.28), traveling in groups (three or more) (OR=1.49; 95% CI: 0.98-2.28), and drinking unbottled water (OR=2.09; 95% CI: 0.91-4.82). The most frequent etiologic agent was norovirus (56%). Conclusions: Age less than 20 years, traveling in groups and drinking unbottled water were important risk factors for acute gastroenteritis.
