Abstract

VAZQUEZ-LOPEZ, María Esther et al. Epidemiology of Lyme disease in a healthcare area in north-west Spain. Gac Sanit [online]. 2015, vol.29, n.3, pp.213-216. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.01.008.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of some risk factors on the incidence rate of Lyme disease and the main clinical manifestations. Methods: A retrospective study of Lyme disease (2006-2013) was performed in north-west Spain; we included only patients who fulfilled the epidemiological surveillance criteria defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: The incidence rate varied between 2.64 and 11.61/100,000 inhabitants/year. Significant differences were found in relation to habitat, age and area of residence. Patients showed neurological (67.59%), dermatological (47.22%), rheumatological (15.74%) and cardiac (13.88%) manifestations, alone or combined. Conclusions: Due to the increase of the disease in north-west Spain and the differences observed between the different areas, epidemiological studies are needed that increase the index of diagnostic suspicion and lead to the implementation of effective prevention measures.

Keywords : Lyme disease; Epidemiology; Spain; Risk factors; Incidence; Clinical manifestations.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )