title: Immunization coverage among splenectomized patients: Results of an ad hoc survey in Puglia Region (South of Italy).
abstract: Patients with anatomic or functional asplenia have a 10-50 times higher risk than general population to develop Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection. Evidences are unanimous in recommending splenectomised patients to receive meningococcal, antipneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccinations according to a specific timing. In Italy there are no current data on the immunisation coverage in these patients. This study aims to investigate immunisation coverage in patients undergoing elective or urgent splenectomy for 2012-2013 in the 3 Apulian hospitals. The patients discharged with the code ICD-9-CM 41.5 - "Total splenectomy" were enrolled. The administration of vaccines was verified through consultation of medical records, archives of general practitioners and vaccination offices. In the study period, 166 subjects underwent splenectomy and none of them received vaccinations during hospitalization. 25 splenectomised patients (15.1%) received at least one of the recommended vaccinations. 21 patients (12.6%) received vaccine against Streptococcus pneumonia, 13 (7.8%) meningococcal vaccine, 10 patients (6%) Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine. The low vaccination coverage could be due both to poor perception of the risk of infection and to a lack of knowledge on vaccinations by surgeons. For this reason it is necessary to draw up and share operational protocols that establish the administration of vaccines.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology , Aldo Moro University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology , Aldo Moro University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Serena
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gallone
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology , Aldo Moro University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology , Aldo Moro University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Germinario
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology , Aldo Moro University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tafuri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008499:Medical Records; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines
keywords: recommended vaccinations; risk of infection; splenectomy; survey; timing of vaccine administration