Severe cases of tick-borne meningoencephalitis - is age the only factor unfavourably influencing the patient's prognosis?
Abstract
Introduction: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common aseptic central nervous system infection in Czech Republic with the incidence of 5-10 cases per 100 000 inhabitants. Meningoencephalomyelitis is the most severe clinical form, often requiring intensive care and resulting in long-term neurological sequelae.
The aim of this study was to identify and define the group of patients with severe or complicated course of the disease and to identify other factors besides age, predisposing to unfavourable outcome of TBE. Material and methods: In a retrospective study of patients hospitalized from 2006-2012 with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of TBE, the clinical course of the infection and its sequelae were analyzed.
A group of patients with severe course was then compared to uncomplicated cases with focus on age, type of complication, previous chronic illnesses and medication. Results: In the observed period, 441 patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of TBE. 39 of the patients (8.8 % - 18 women, 21 men) met the criteria for being classified as cases with severe course.
The majority of the complications occurred in patients aged 60-69 years (22.3 %) and more than 70 years (18.5 %). Two patients died.