Burden of pneumococcal infection in adults in Colombia

The burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections is highest in children. Estimates in adult population are uncommon. We determined the burden of disease associated with pneumococcus in adults in Colombia in year 2008.

Using different data sources (official mortality records, medical databases, published literature and local epidemiological data) we estimated prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability due to bacterial pneumonia, bacterial meningitis and bacteremia of any cause for year 2008, and the fraction of these that can be attributed to S. pneumoniae.

A total of 63,463 DALYs are lost due to S. pneumoniae in Colombians age 15 or over. Most of this burden (51,848 DALYs, 81.7%) is due to pneumonia, followed by meningitis (9241 DALYs, 14.6%). The three conditions, overall, represent 2.03 DALYs per 1000 Colombians in that age range.

Despite the lower incidence of pneumococcal disease in adults, as compared with children, its burden is still significant, comparable to that of schizophrenia or epilepsy. This study may provide a benchmark for future preventive interventions.