Enfermedades infecciosas importadas asociadas a los desplazamientos internacionales de inmigrantes adultos en visita a familiares y amigos

ResumenObjetivoValorar las enfermedades infecciosas importadas por inmigrantes que realizaron visitas a familiares y amigos (VFA).MétodosEstudio transversal descriptivo de todas las enfermedades infecciosas importadas en pacientes adultos 01/2001-12/2008. Los grupos de estudio definidos fueron: a) inmigrantes VFA; b) turistas, y c) inmigrantes no viajeros. Las enfermedades se clasificaron según su tipo en cosmopolitas y endémicas tropicales; según su gravedad en a) leves, b) graves, y c) potencialmente letales.ResultadosSe analizaron 761 individuos; edad: 31,7 (DE: 12,4) años; inmigrantes VFA=90, turistas=269, inmigrantes no-viajeros=402. Los inmigrantes VFA acudieron menos a las Consultas de Consejo a Viajeros que los turistas (32,2% frente a 57,2%; p <0,001) y viajaron con mayor frecuencia a África subsahariana (33,3% frente a 20,4%; p=0,01). Las enfermedades potencialmente letales fueron más frecuentes en inmigrantes VFA con OR = 5,16 (IC95%: 2,08–12,8) en relación a turistas y OR=7,17 (IC95%: 2,82–18,2) a inmigrantes no viajeros.ConclusionesLos inmigrantes VFA viajaron con más frecuencia al África subsahariana e importaron más enfermedades de curso agudo potencialmente letal.

ObjectiveTo describe the infectious diseases imported by immigrants visiting friends and relatives in their countries of origin.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of all imported infectious diseases among adult patients between 01/2001-12/2008. The study population was classified in 3 groups: a) immigrants visiting friends and relatives; b) tourists, and c) non-travelling immigrants. Diseases were classified as (a) cosmopolitan or (b) tropical endemic, and, according to their severity as (a) mild, (b) serious, and (c) potentially lethal.ResultsA total of 761 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 31.7 (SD: 12.4) years. Of these, there were 90 immigrants visiting friends and relatives, 269 tourists and 402 non-travelling immigrants. Immigrants visiting friends and relatives attended International Health Centres prior to travel significantly less than tourists (32.2% vs. 57.2%; p <0.001) and more frequently travelled to sub-Saharan Africa (33.3% vs. 20.4%; p=0.01). Imported diseases considered as potentially lethal were more likely among immigrants visiting friends and relatives than tourists [OR=5.16 (95%CI: 2.08–12.8)] and non-travelling immigrants [OR=7.17 (95%CI: 2.82–18.2)].ConclusionsImmigrants visiting friends and relatives travelled more to sub-Saharan Africa and more frequently imported potentially lethal acute diseases.