Fredrikke Dam Larsen1, Sanne Jespersen2, Christian Wejse3, Eskild Petersen4, Carsten Schade Larsen5. 1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: frelarse@rm.dk. 2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: sanne.jespersen@clin.au.dk. 3. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; GloHAU, Department of Public Health, Section of Global Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2-Building 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Electronic address: wejse@dadlnet.dk. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Electronic address: eskildp@dadlnet.dk. 5. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: carsten.schade.larsen@dadlnet.dk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe travel demographics and disease patterns of patients hospitalized with travel-related diseases, and assess risk factors to improve pre-travel information and post-travel diagnostics and treatment. METHODS: The study included all patients hospitalized with travel-related diseases in 2015 at a Danish infectious diseases ward. Patient data was extracted from the in-patient hospital registry. was analyzed regarding diagnoses, destination, purpose of travel and pre-travel information. RESULTS: 240 patients were hospitalized with a total of 289 travel-related diseases, accounting for 16.6% (240/1450) of all admissions. Febrile illnesses were the most common (39.5%, 114/289) followed by respiratory (19.7%, 57/289) and gastrointestinal diagnoses (19.0%, 55/289). Most of the diseases were acquired in Sub-Saharan Africa (35.6%, 103/289) followed by South East Asia (27.0%, 78/289), and 60.0% (144/240) of the patients were tourists. One-third (36.3%, 81/223) of the non-migrants had received pre-travel information. The lowest rate was seen in people visiting friends and relatives (18.2%, 6/32). CONCLUSION: Travel-related diseases are common among patients admitted to this Danish infectious disease ward. Malaria is the most common disease among both travelers and immigrants. In approximately one third of all the patients in our study etiology was unknown.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe travel demographics and disease patterns of patients hospitalized with travel-related diseases, and assess risk factors to improve pre-travel information and post-travel diagnostics and treatment. METHODS: The study included all patients hospitalized with travel-related diseases in 2015 at a Danish infectious diseases ward. Patient data was extracted from the in-patient hospital registry. was analyzed regarding diagnoses, destination, purpose of travel and pre-travel information. RESULTS: 240 patients were hospitalized with a total of 289 travel-related diseases, accounting for 16.6% (240/1450) of all admissions. Febrile illnesses were the most common (39.5%, 114/289) followed by respiratory (19.7%, 57/289) and gastrointestinal diagnoses (19.0%, 55/289). Most of the diseases were acquired in Sub-Saharan Africa (35.6%, 103/289) followed by South East Asia (27.0%, 78/289), and 60.0% (144/240) of the patients were tourists. One-third (36.3%, 81/223) of the non-migrants had received pre-travel information. The lowest rate was seen in people visiting friends and relatives (18.2%, 6/32). CONCLUSION: Travel-related diseases are common among patients admitted to this Danish infectious disease ward. Malaria is the most common disease among both travelers and immigrants. In approximately one third of all the patients in our study etiology was unknown.