1. [Three years of Q fever in the Netherlands: faster diagnosis].
- Author
-
van der Hoek W, Dijkstra F, Wijers N, Rietveld A, Wijkmans CJ, van Steenbergen JE, Notermans DW, and Schneeberger PM
- Subjects
- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Humans, Netherlands epidemiology, Q Fever drug therapy, Q Fever epidemiology, Retrospective Studies, Sentinel Surveillance, Time Factors, Disease Outbreaks statistics & numerical data, Physician's Role, Q Fever diagnosis
- Abstract
Objective: To assess if more rapid diagnosis and treatment is possible and to assess if this could be improved, since the first outbreak of Q fever in 2007., Design: Retrospective study of secondary data., Methods: Analysis of surveillance data regarding Q fever over the period 2007 to 2009 and additional information on some patients from 2007 and 2008 obtained from general practitioners., Results: Diagnostic delay fell sharply between 2007 and 2009 and to a lesser extent, so did therapeutic delay from 2007 to 2008. In high incidence areas, diagnosis and treatment was faster with a lower proportion of patients admitted to hospital than in low incidence areas., Conclusion: It appears that familiarity with the condition leads to faster diagnosis coupled with a lower percentage of hospital admissions. In order to react quickly it is necessary that doctor and patient should be aware of Q fever, especially in areas of low incidence. Polymerase chain reaction diagnostic techniques should also be available.
- Published
- 2010