Risk Factors for Acute Gastroenteritis Among Patients Hospitalized in 5 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, 2016-2019

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causes approximately 179 million episodes annually in the United States.
• Identifying risk factors for AGE, norovirus-associated AGE, and severe AGE is crucial for public health.
• Hospitalized adults were the focus population for this study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for all-cause AGE.
• To determine risk factors for norovirus-associated versus non-norovirus AGE.
• To identify risk factors for severe versus mild/moderate AGE.

Main Methods:

• 1029 AGE cases and 624 controls were enrolled across 5 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.
• Data collection involved patient interviews, medical chart reviews, and stool sample testing using the BioFire Gastrointestinal Panel.
• Multivariate logistic regression analyzed risk factors for AGE, with univariate analysis for norovirus-associated AGE.

Main Results:

• Immunosuppressive therapy, HIV infection, severe renal disease, and household contact were significant risk factors for all-cause AGE.
• Contact with individuals experiencing AGE, both household and non-household, was associated with norovirus-associated AGE.
• Norovirus positivity was significantly associated with severe AGE.

Conclusions:

• Patients with immunosuppressive therapy, HIV, or severe renal disease require monitoring for AGE.
• Targeted public health messaging on AGE prevention is recommended for high-risk populations.
• Findings can inform public health interventions, including potential norovirus vaccination strategies for specific groups.