Immunosuppression refers to a reduction of the activation or efficacy of the immune system. In some cases immunosuppression is introduced deliberately, such as for those requiring an organ transplant; in other cases it arises as the consequence of malnutrition, aging, or due to disease, such as cancer of HIV.
The new finding is based on the analysis of a survey conducted in 2013. Here patients (34, 426 eligible adult respondents) were questioned about whether they had ever been that their immune system was weakened. Further information was then asked about the current status of the condition. Certain pathologies, such as hematopoietic cancers or human immunodeficiency virus, were considered evidence of immunosuppression.
The major risk factor of immunosuppression is immunodeficiency, and this will lead to increased susceptibility to pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
The data revealed 4.2 percent (1,442 people) had been told, at some time, their immune system was weakened. Of this number 2.8 percent ( 951 people) reported current immunosuppression. From these data it is estimated that there is an immunosuppression rate in the U.S prevalence of 2.7 percent (or 2.4-2.9 percent, with error accounted for). These figures represent an increase on previous estimates.
The figures also showed that prevalence was highest among women (a ratio of 7 women to every three men); whites; and people aged between 50 to 59 years. The reason for the bias towards women is due to their higher risk from autoimmune conditions.
The reasons for a growth in the U.S. population of immunosuppressed people is two-fold, according to the research note published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA.) These reasons are:
Greater life expectancy among immunosuppressed adults. This is the result of improvements in medical practice and patient management.
New indications for immunosuppressive treatments.
There are several implications stemming from the increase in immunosuppression, and these are of medical and societal concern. The first reason is that immunosuppression increases the risks and severity of both primary and secondary infections.
The second reason is that a high prevalence carries implications for food and water safety. The third area extends to a range of public health measures, such as tuberculosis control, vaccine programs, infection control strategies, outbreak preparedness, and travel medicine.
The JAMA letter is titled “Prevalence of Immunosuppression Among US Adults, 2013.”
