[Infectious diseases in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To find the frequency and seasonal variability of the infectious diseases detected over a year.


METHODS
Observational prospective study.


METHODS
Primary care centre.


METHODS
Simple multi-stage random sampling of the patients over 14 seen on demand at general medical clinics and the Casualty department between June 1991 and May 1992.


RESULTS
Out of 49,193 attendances during the study period, the attendance sample was 2,523, of which 474 (18.8%; CI: 17.3-20.3%) were for infectious conditions. Average age of these 474 was 39 (SD: 19.17); 55% were women. Frequency of respiratory infections was 64.1% (CI: 59.8-68.5%). The correlation coefficient between respiratory infections and the total number of infections was 0.94 (R2 = 0.89). The frequency of infections oscillated between 29% (CI: 23-35%) in February and 10% (CI: 5.8-14.5%) in May.


CONCLUSIONS
Infectious conditions account for a considerable percentage of the total number of primary care attendances. There is a seasonal variation in infections, which is mainly due to respiratory infections.
Mendive Arbeloa
J M
JM
CAP La Mina, Sant Adrià de Besós, Barcelona.
Vinyoles Bargallo
E
E
Mata Cases
M
M
Altaba Barcelo
A M
AM
García Ruiz
F
F
Salvador González
B
B
Solsona Díaz
L
L
Wennberg Rutllant
M P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
Patología infecciosa en atención primaria.