title: Patient-reported complications associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of complications, especially musculoskeletal symptoms, after sporadic Campylobacter jejuni enteritis of domestic origin in Finland. This multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted during a seasonal peak in 2002. Questionnaires were sent to Campylobacter-positive patients, representing different geographical areas, 2 months after collection of positive stool samples. Medical records were viewed in several cases. Besides antimicrobial susceptibility testing C. jejuni isolates were serotyped. A total of 235 patients (58%) returned the questionnaire and 201 C. jejuni-positive patients were finally included in the study. Musculoskeletal symptoms associated with C. jejuni enteritis were frequent (39%); joint pain was most commonly reported (81%). The incidence of reactive arthritis was 4% and that of Achilles enthesopathy and/or heel pain was 9%. Stomach ache during enteritis was associated with the later development of joint pain. Antimicrobial treatment was common but did not prevent complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland. daniela.schonberg@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schönberg-Norio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lauhio
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Katila
authors.forename: S-S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kaukoranta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koskela
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pajarre
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uksila
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eerola
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarna
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rautelin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult