BACKGROUND: In The Netherlands, 1168 Q-fever patients were notified in 2007 and 2008. Patients and general practitioners (GPs) regularly reported persisting symptoms after acute Q-fever, especially fatigue and long periods of sick leave, to the public health authorities. International studies on smaller Q-fever outbreaks demonstrate that symptoms may persist years after acute illness. Data for the Dutch outbreaks were unavailable. The aim of this study is to quantify sick leave after acute Q-fever and long-term symptoms. METHODS: Our study targeted 898 acute Q-fever patients, notified in 2007 and 2008 residing in the Province Noord-Brabant. Patients from the 2008 cohort were mailed a questionnaire at 12 months and those of the 2007 cohort at 12-26 months after onset of illness. Patients reported underlying illness, Q-fever-related symptoms and sick leave. RESULTS: The response rate was 64%. Forty percent of the working patients reported long-term (>1 month) sick leave. Pre-existent heart disease odds ratio (OR) 4.50; confidence interval (CI) 1.27-16.09), hospitalization in the acute phase (OR 3.99; 95% CI 2.15-7.43) and smoking (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.01-2.84) were significant predictors for long-term absence. Of the patients who resumed work, 9% were-at the time of completing the questionnaire-still unable to function at pre-infection levels due to fatigue or concentration problems. Of the respondents, 40% reported persisting physical symptoms at the time of follow-up. Fatigue (20%) was most frequently reported. Daily activities were affected in 30% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Q-fever poses a serious persisting long-term burden on patients and society.
BACKGROUND: In The Netherlands, 1168 Q-feverpatients were notified in 2007 and 2008. Patients and general practitioners (GPs) regularly reported persisting symptoms after acute Q-fever, especially fatigue and long periods of sick leave, to the public health authorities. International studies on smaller Q-fever outbreaks demonstrate that symptoms may persist years after acute illness. Data for the Dutch outbreaks were unavailable. The aim of this study is to quantify sick leave after acute Q-fever and long-term symptoms. METHODS: Our study targeted 898 acute Q-feverpatients, notified in 2007 and 2008 residing in the Province Noord-Brabant. Patients from the 2008 cohort were mailed a questionnaire at 12 months and those of the 2007 cohort at 12-26 months after onset of illness. Patients reported underlying illness, Q-fever-related symptoms and sick leave. RESULTS: The response rate was 64%. Forty percent of the working patients reported long-term (>1 month) sick leave. Pre-existent heart disease odds ratio (OR) 4.50; confidence interval (CI) 1.27-16.09), hospitalization in the acute phase (OR 3.99; 95% CI 2.15-7.43) and smoking (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.01-2.84) were significant predictors for long-term absence. Of the patients who resumed work, 9% were-at the time of completing the questionnaire-still unable to function at pre-infection levels due to fatigue or concentration problems. Of the respondents, 40% reported persisting physical symptoms at the time of follow-up. Fatigue (20%) was most frequently reported. Daily activities were affected in 30% of cases. CONCLUSIONS:Q-fever poses a serious persisting long-term burden on patients and society.
Authors: Gabriella Morroy; Stephan P Keijmel; Corine E Delsing; Gijs Bleijenberg; Miranda Langendam; Aura Timen; Chantal P Bleeker-Rovers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-05-25 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Madelon B Bronner; Juanita A Haagsma; Manon L Dontje; Lotte Barmentloo; Rianne M C E J Kouwenberg; Alfons G M Olde Loohuis; Annemieke de Groot; Vicki Erasmus; Suzanne Polinder Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: D F M Reukers; J A F van Loenhout; I Roof; T F Senden; S P Keijmel; C P Bleeker-Rovers; C H M van Jaarsveld; J L A Hautvast; K van der Velden Journal: Occup Med (Lond) Date: 2020-12-12 Impact factor: 1.611