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Infectious intestinal disease in elderly people
T Djuretic1, M J Ryan, D M Fleming
1Gastrointestinal Diseases Section PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Birmingham.
Communicable Disease Report. CDR Review
|July 19, 1996
Summary
Infectious intestinal diseases significantly impact elderly individuals in England and Wales, causing substantial illness and death. Improved food hygiene and infection control, especially in institutions, can prevent many cases in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infectious intestinal diseases (IID) pose a significant health burden on elderly populations.
- Data on IID in individuals aged 65 years and over in England and Wales from 1990-1994 are routinely available.
- Understanding the epidemiology of IID in the elderly is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and patterns of infectious intestinal diseases in people aged 65 years and over in England and Wales.
- To identify common pathogens and sources of infection within this demographic.
- To assess the impact of IID on morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of routinely collected data: general practitioner consultations, food poisoning notifications, hospital admissions (Hospital Episode Statistics), outbreaks, laboratory reports (PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre), and death registrations.
- Extrapolation of case numbers from spotter practice data to estimate national incidence.
- Identification of common causative pathogens from laboratory reports.
Main Results:
- An estimated 925,000 cases of IID occurred in the elderly population (65+ years) in England and Wales between 1990-1994.
- Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and Salmonella were the most frequently detected pathogens.
- Over 13,500 hospital admissions and 777 deaths were attributed to IID in this age group during the study period.
- Small round structured viruses were responsible for 52% of outbreaks in residential institutions and hospital wards for the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Infectious intestinal disease is a preventable condition causing considerable morbidity and mortality in the elderly.
- Enhanced food hygiene and infection control measures, particularly in institutional settings, are vital for reducing IID incidence in older adults.
- Public health interventions should focus on protecting the elderly from infectious intestinal diseases.