The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61932

Jack Colford, MD, PhD¹, Sona Saha, MPH¹, Jim Scott, MPH¹, Catherine Wright, MPH¹, Timothy J. Wade, PhD, MPH², and Joseph NS Eisenberg, PhD MPH³. (1) Division of Public Health Biology & Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, 510-643-1076, jcolford@socrates.berkeley.edu, (2) UC Berkeley School of Public Health, 1918 University Ave. Suite 3B, Berkeley, CA 94704, (3) Epidemiology, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720

INTRODUCTION Persons >55 may have added susceptibility to the effects of GI illnesses. The role of tap water in GI illness in this population has not been well studied. This 5-year, NIH/NIAID-funded study in Sonoma County, California will measure the reduction in rates of GI illness from the use of an in-home water treatment device.

METHODS 510 households (810) persons are being randomized to an active treatment device or a sham device. At six months, all are switched to the opposite device. The active device provides both filtration and UV disinfection. The principal outcome is daily Highly Credible Gastrointestinal Illness (HCGI) that has been used in prior studies. A subsample (160 persons) of the trial will submit stool and blood specimens.

RESULTS As of 12/30/02, 323 households (445 persons, 38% male) were randomized to the active or sham device. Of these, 163 had been crossed over and 52 had finished the entire study. The mean age of participants is 74 years (SD 9). Health diary completion rates are > 90%. The current rate of HCGI is 2.78 (95% CI 2.56-3.01) episodesyear. From the first 80 participants in the specimen collection program, there were 8 stools positive at baseline and 4 stools positive at the time of illness.

CONCLUSIONS These results confirm that GI illness occurs with substantial frequency in persons aged 55 or older. The final results of the trial should help to identify the portion (i.e. the attributable risk) of GI illness due to the consumption of tap water.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• identify the most commonly recognized waterborne pathogens in older persons;
• describe the key features of a randomized, cross-over trial design
• describe the frequency of GI illness in elderly persons

Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.