Gastrointestinal infections presenting in general practice in Scotland

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Gastrointestinal infections (GII) are a significant public health concern.
• Understanding the incidence and aetiology of GII presenting to general practitioners (GPs) is crucial for effective management and surveillance.
• Previous studies have provided insights, but regional data, such as from Scotland, is essential for comprehensive understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of gastrointestinal infections (GII) presenting to general practitioners (GPs) in Scotland.
• To characterize the demographic and clinical features of patients with GII.
• To investigate the proportion of GII cases that undergo laboratory investigation and to identify the causative microbiological agents.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted.
• Data were collected from 23 general practices in Scotland, covering a population of 152,471.
• Patients consulting GPs for GII meeting the study's case definition were included, with 3872 consultations recorded between April 1996 and December 1997.

Main Results:

• The crude annual incidence rate of new GII consultations was 1.7 per 100 person-years.
• Microbiological testing was requested for 34% of diarrhoea cases, with pathogens identified in approximately one in five samples.
• Campylobacter sp. and Salmonella sp. were the most frequently reported pathogens.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of GII consultations in Scotland is comparable to findings in England.
• Current statutory notification methods by GPs are insufficient for early outbreak detection.
• A pilot study for electronic notification via NHS Net is recommended to improve surveillance.