Incidence and geographical distribution of patients hospitalised with fascioliasis in Spain

Abstract Introduction The epidemiology of human fascioliasis is related to the geographical and environmental characteristics of the area where transmission occurs. There are gaps in the current knowledge of the distribution of fascioliasis in Spain. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence and geographic distribution of patients with fascioliasis who required hospitalization in Spain. Method An observational study of the hospitalised population (166 patients) with a diagnosis of fascioliasis, according to the minimum basic data set (MBDS) for hospital discharge, between 1997 and 2014 was carried out. Most of the hospitals were Spanish National Health System hospitals. Results The incidence of hospitalised patients with fascioliasis was 2.1 (99% CI, 2.03–2.13) cases/10,000,000 inhabitants per year. The annual incidence was reduced during the 18 years of the study. The relative risk of men was 1.136 (99% CI, 0.299–0.993) with respect to women. A focal geographic aggregation of cases was observed in areas especially in northern and central Spain. The greatest incidents were found in the provinces of Segovia and Lugo. Intrahospital death occurred in 3 patients. Conclusion The incidence of hospitalisations with fascioliasis in Spain is low, has been reduced and has predominated in the provinces of Segovia and Lugo.