RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To find whether the systematic investigation of the contacts of Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients is carried out. DESIGN: Crossover and descriptive. SETTING: Asturias Health Area VIII. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: We examined whether contacts of the cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis diagnosed in our area during 1991 and 1992 were correctly studied, in line with the criteria of the American Thoracic Society (ATS). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the two years there were 139 cases of Tuberculosis of all types, which supposes an incidence rate of 74 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. We excluded 29 of the 110 Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients (decease, change of residence, incomplete personal data). We found 227 contacts of the remaining 81 (2.8 per patient). The initial study was complete for 133 contacts (58.5%), incomplete for 40 (17.6%) and was not carried out for the remaining 54 (23.7%). Only 61 (26.9%) of the total number of contacts were correctly studied and followed up. Only 58 contacts benefitted from Chemoprophylaxis. Out of the 79 cases where the repetition of the Mantoux test was indicated because the first was negative, it was in fact only repeated in 17 (21.5%). There were no significant differences between Primary and Secondary Care as to the study and proper follow-up of the contacts. CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence of Tuberculosis in our area. A deficient study and follow-up of contacts at all the levels of care.
