Quality of life one year post‐Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli O104 infection – A prospective cohort study. Issue 3 (11th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riegel, B.; Broicher, W.; Wegscheider, K.; Andresen, V.; Brähler, E.; Lohse, A. W.; Löwe, B.
• Is Part Of: Neurogastroenterology & motility. Volume 27:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2015-01-11
• Subjects: Gastrointestinal system -- Motility -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Innervation -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12503
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1925

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="nmo12503-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="nmo12503-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>In 2011, a major outbreak of hemolytic‐uremic syndrome (HUS) and bloody diarrhea related to infections from Shiga toxin‐producing <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> O104 (STEC) occurred in Germany. While previous research has focused on the medical components of this disease, we aimed to investigate the course of health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) over 12 months including somatic and psychosocial risk factors. Furthermore, the influence of chronic fatigue (CF) on HrQoL was examined.</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12503-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A prospective cohort study with <italic>n</italic> = 389 patients completing self‐report scales at baseline, after 6 months (participation rate: 79%) and after 12 months (participation rate: 77%). The courses of physical and mental HrQoL over the 12 month period were calculated by employing general linear mixed models.</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12503-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key Results</title> <p>While the physical component score of HrQoL reached a score comparable to the general population, the mental component score remained below average 12 months after STEC infection. Female gender, prior psychiatric disorder, and prior traumatic events were risk factors for a worse HrQoL course after 12 months, while social support was identified to be protective. CF was associated with low HrQoL. In addition, the somatic symptom burden remained persistently high.</p> </sec> <sec id="nmo12503-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions & Inferences</title> <p>Our results show high somatic and psychosocial burden in patients 12 months after STEC infection. We recommend considering the risk factors and protective factors of poor HrQoL early in the treatment of STEC or similar diseases. Patients who are suffering from persisting somatic symptoms, CF, and impaired HrQoL may require specific aftercare.</p> </sec> </abstract>