Burden of self-reported acute diarrheal illness in FoodNet surveillance areas, 1998-1999.
To assess trends in the burden of acute diarrheal illness, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) conducted a population-based telephone survey during 1998-1999, using a random-digit-dialing, single-stage Genesys-ID sampling method. During the 12-month study period, 12,755 persons were interviewed; after the exclusion of persons with chronic diarrheal illnesses, 12,075 persons were included in the analysis; 6% (n=645) reported having experienced an acute diarrheal illness at some point during the 4 weeks preceding the interview (annualized rate, 0.72 episodes per person-year). Rates of diarrheal illness were highest among children aged <5 years (1.1 episodes per person-year) and were lowest in persons aged > or =65 years (0.32 episodes per person-year). Twenty-one percent of persons with acute diarrheal illness sought medical care as a result of their illness. Diarrheal illness imposes a considerable burden on the US population and health care system.
Imhoff
Beth
B
Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Morse
Dale
D
Shiferaw
Beletshachew
B
Hawkins
Marguerite
M
Vugia
Duc
D
Lance-Parker
Susan
S
Hadler
James
J
Medus
Carlota
C
Kennedy
Malinda
M
Moore
Matthew R
MR
Van Gilder
Thomas
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States