Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in the U.S.
Author Information
Author(s): Chad L. Cross, Bryson Carrier, Miklo A. A. Alcala, Louisa A. Messenger
Primary Institution: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the United States?
Conclusion
Soil-transmitted helminth infections are still present in the U.S., particularly among older adults and certain ethnic groups, despite significant reductions in cases over the years.
Supporting Evidence
- A mean of 223 cases were found annually over the 23 years analyzed.
- Ascariasis was the most common STH, followed by hookworm disease and trichuriasis.
- Mean annual cases were significantly higher for males for hookworm disease.
- Age distributions were skewed towards older patients, with nearly half of cases in patients 40+ years.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many people in the U.S. get sick from certain worms that live in the soil, and found that even though fewer people are getting sick now, there are still cases, especially in older adults.
Methodology
The study used big-data analytics of inpatient medical discharge records from 1998 to 2020 to analyze the occurrence of soil-transmitted helminth infections.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on inpatient records, which may not represent the general population's infection rates.
Limitations
The study relies on hospital discharge records, which may not capture all cases, especially asymptomatic infections.
Participant Demographics
The majority of cases were found in older adults, with significant representation among white and Hispanic populations.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: USD 65,702, USD 98,924
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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