Moretti Marco, Van Nedervelde Julien, Vanstokstraeten Robin, Seyler Lucie, Echahidi Fedoua, Prevost Benoit, Martiny Delphine, Wybo Ingrid, Michel Charlotte
Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
European Study Group for Legionella Infections (ESGLI), 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
Infect Dis Rep. 2024 Aug 27;16(5):820-827. doi: 10.3390/idr16050063.
The incidence of Legionnaires' disease (LD) is increasing steadily in Europe. Its early diagnosis by general practitioners (GPs) is crucial for better patient outcomes. This study assessed Belgian GPs' knowledge about LD and the accessibility of diagnostic tests in their practices. A specifically designed questionnaire was distributed to actively practicing GPs, including primary care trainees, between 31 January 2022 and 13 March 2022. This survey targeted approximately 4200 GPs with an estimated population catchment of 30% of the actively working Belgian GPs. The response rate was estimated at 3%. Over 70% of the GPs correctly identified the LD occurrence peak, major risk factors, and clinical manifestations. While 62% of participants preferred the urinary antigen test (UAT) as a primary diagnostic method, 75% were unsure about its availability within their laboratories and 82% had not prescribed it in the last year. Finally, 76% expressed a desire for additional information on this topic. Belgian GPs should evaluate the possibility of conducting UAT testing in their laboratories to enhance LD case management and improve their preparedness. Furthermore, initiatives should be implemented to improve communication between specialists and GPs and develop educational programs directed at Belgian GPs.
军团病（LD）在欧洲的发病率正在稳步上升。全科医生（GP）对其进行早期诊断对于改善患者预后至关重要。本研究评估了比利时全科医生对军团病的了解程度以及其实践中诊断测试的可及性。在2022年1月31日至2022年3月13日期间，向包括初级保健实习生在内的在职全科医生发放了一份专门设计的问卷。这项调查针对约4200名全科医生，估计覆盖了比利时在职全科医生的30%。估计回复率为3%。超过70%的全科医生正确识别了军团病的发病高峰、主要危险因素和临床表现。虽然62%的参与者倾向于将尿抗原检测（UAT）作为主要诊断方法，但75%的人不确定其实验室是否有该检测，82%的人在过去一年中未开具过该检测的处方。最后，76%的人表示希望获得有关该主题的更多信息。比利时全科医生应评估在其实验室进行尿抗原检测的可能性，以加强军团病病例管理并提高他们的准备程度。此外，应采取措施改善专科医生与全科医生之间的沟通，并制定针对比利时全科医生的教育计划。
