Occurrence of Chronic Stage Chikungunya in the General Population of Martinique during the First 2014 Epidemic: A Prospective Epidemiological Study.

Occurrence of Chronic Stage Chikungunya in the General Population of Martinique during the First 2014 Epidemic: A Prospective Epidemiological Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 May 29;: Authors: Couzigou B, Criquet-Hayot A, Javelle E, Tignac S, Mota E, Rigaud F, Alain A, Troisgros O, Pierre-Francois S, Abel S, Banydeen R, Cabié A Abstract Chronic stage chikungunya (CHIK), defined by persisting symptoms more than 3 months after initial diagnosis of acute infection, is frequent. However, its burden and impact have rarely been described prospectively in a general population during an ongoing epidemic in the Caribbean. From January 2014 to January 2015, a severe CHIK outbreak occurred in Martinique. Our objective was to describe epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of chronic stage CHIK in its local population. Participants, clinically diagnosed with probable CHIK infection, were included prospectively by general practitioners during the epidemic's peak from April to October 2014. All identified cases benefited from a follow-up phone call 3 months or more after initial diagnosis during which they were interrogated about persisting clinical signs, past and ongoing treatment, and quality of life. Five hundred and nine subjects participated in the study. Mean age at initial diagnosis was 43.2 ± 23.6 years with a female-male ratio of 1.98. Two hundred participants (39.3%) had probable chronic stage CHIK: 98.5% still experienced pain at...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Tags: Am J Trop Med Hyg Source Type: research