Disability Among Ebola Survivors and Their Close Contacts in Sierra Leone: A Retrospective Case-Controlled Cohort Study

Clin Infect Dis. 2018 Jan 6;66(1):131-133. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix705.

Abstract

Ebola survivors (21/27 [77.8%]) suffered more disability than their close contacts (6/54 [11.1%]) (adjusted odds ratio, 23.5 [95% confidence interval, 6.5-85.7]; P < .001) when measured by the Washington Group Disability Extended Questionnaire. Major limitations in vision, mobility, cognition, and affect were observed in survivors 1 year following the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, highlighting the need for long-term rehabilitation.

Keywords: EVD convalescence; Ebola survivors; Washington Group Disability Questionnaire; disability; postinfection disability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / complications*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobility Limitation*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sierra Leone / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Vision Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult