TY - JOUR
T1 - Travel-related health problems in the immunocompromised traveller: An exploratory study
AU - van Aalst, Mariëlle
AU - van Ruissen, Marella C. E.
AU - Verhoeven, Roos
AU - de Bree, Godelieve J.
AU - Goorhuis, Abraham
AU - Grobusch, Martin P.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Background: Immunocompromised travellers (ICTs) are at increased risk of travel-related health problems. Therefore, they are advised to attend specialised pre-travel clinics for advice on vaccination, malaria chemoprophylaxis and on-demand antibiotics. However, studies yield conflicting data regarding travel-related health problems encountered by ICTs; questioning the rationale for certain advices, and particularly the advice of on-demand antibiotics. Objective: To evaluate self-reported travel-related health problems, antibiotic use, medical visits and risk behaviours in ICTs and controls. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based observational study with pilot character. We recruited participants from a (medical) pre-travel clinic. Telephone interviews were conducted 2–4 weeks post-travelling, applying a structured questionnaire. Results: We included 30 ICTs and 30 controls. More ICTs than controls reported travel-related health problems, antibiotic use and medical visits, although not statistically significant. Travellers’ diarrhoea appeared to be more severe in ICTs. Furthermore one ICT was hospitalized post-travel due to pneumonia. Of ICTs, 2/30 (7%) used on demand antibiotics while not indicated (according to the protocol of the Dutch national coordinating centre for travel advice or prescribed by a physician). Reversely, 6/30 (20%) did not use on demand antibiotics while actually indicated according to this protocol. Discussion: Our findings substantiate the recommendation of on demand antibiotics. However, ICTs did often not use on demand antibiotics correctly; they therefore need very careful instructions.
AB - Background: Immunocompromised travellers (ICTs) are at increased risk of travel-related health problems. Therefore, they are advised to attend specialised pre-travel clinics for advice on vaccination, malaria chemoprophylaxis and on-demand antibiotics. However, studies yield conflicting data regarding travel-related health problems encountered by ICTs; questioning the rationale for certain advices, and particularly the advice of on-demand antibiotics. Objective: To evaluate self-reported travel-related health problems, antibiotic use, medical visits and risk behaviours in ICTs and controls. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based observational study with pilot character. We recruited participants from a (medical) pre-travel clinic. Telephone interviews were conducted 2–4 weeks post-travelling, applying a structured questionnaire. Results: We included 30 ICTs and 30 controls. More ICTs than controls reported travel-related health problems, antibiotic use and medical visits, although not statistically significant. Travellers’ diarrhoea appeared to be more severe in ICTs. Furthermore one ICT was hospitalized post-travel due to pneumonia. Of ICTs, 2/30 (7%) used on demand antibiotics while not indicated (according to the protocol of the Dutch national coordinating centre for travel advice or prescribed by a physician). Reversely, 6/30 (20%) did not use on demand antibiotics while actually indicated according to this protocol. Discussion: Our findings substantiate the recommendation of on demand antibiotics. However, ICTs did often not use on demand antibiotics correctly; they therefore need very careful instructions.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85047068184&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29763669
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.05.005
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.05.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 29763669
SN - 1477-8939
VL - 25
SP - 50
EP - 57
JO - Travel medicine and infectious disease
JF - Travel medicine and infectious disease
ER -