Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Galicia, Spain, 1996-2005.

SETTING: Galicia, Spain. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological evolution and characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in Galicia over a 10-year period from 1996 to 2005. DESIGN: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was conducted, based on data obtained from the Galicia Tuberculosis Registry. RESULTS: The incidence of TB in Galicia fell from 72.3 cases per 100000 population in 1996 to 37.7/100000 in 2005, resulting in an average annual decrease of 7.0%. In 2005, 51.6% of cases were aged 15-44 years, 61.6% were men, and 59.2% were exclusively pulmonary. No cavitary lesions were found in 63.4%; 50.3% of pulmonary TB cases were sputum smear-positive, and a positive culture was found in 77.3%; 4.4% were human immunodeficiency virus positive, 3.5% were drug users and 3% were immigrants. At least one contact was studied in 80% of smear-positive index cases. The treatment success rate was close to 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The annual incidence of TB in Galicia has fallen progressively since the TB programme was implemented; it is nevertheless still higher than in other regions of Spain and neighbouring countries, and greater progress in TB control needs to be made.

[Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Galicia]. / Epidemiología de la tuberculosis en Galicia.

BACKGROUND: To know the real incidence of tuberculosis in Galicia and its epidemiological characteristics. METHODS: Study of data recorded in the "Galician Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention", where an active epidemiological survey of every diagnosis of tuberculosis is carried out in every part of Galicia. RESULTS: 1995 cases were included in this study, with an incidence of 72.7/100,000 inhabitants. 58% of the cases were detected by the epidemiological survey. 92% of the cases were newly diagnosed cases, being the remain relapses. The highest incidence were localized in the areas of A Coruña and Vigo. The mean age was 40.5 years with 57% being between 15 and 44 years. Male incidence was 92.8/100,000 and female incidence was 54.0/100,000 (RR = 1.72; CI 95%: 1.57-1.88). 18.1% of the patients had at least one of the following risk factors associated: HIV infection (9.1%), alcoholism (8.4%) or injecting drug use (7.3%). Other risk factors for tuberculosis were very unusual. Pulmonary localization was the most frequent form with 1389 cases (incidence: 50.6/100,000). 742 patients were considered to be bacilliferous (incidence: 27/100,000). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of tuberculosis in Galicia is high. Its epidemiological characteristics suggest a historical lack of measures of tuberculosis control.

Epidemiología de la tuberculosis en Galicia / Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Galicia

Objetivo: Conocer la incidencia real de la tuberculosis en Galicia y sus características epidemiológicas. Método: Estudio de los datos recogidos durante 1996 en el "Programa Gallego de Prevención y Control de la Tuberculosis" en el cual se realiza un sistema de vigilancia activa epidemiológica de los casos de tuberculosis diagnosticados en la totalidad de la comunidad autónoma de Galicia. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 1995 casos de tuberculosis que suponen una incidencia de 72,7 por cien mil habitantes. Un 58% de los casos fueron detectados mediante el sistema de vigilancia activa epidemiológica. El 92%de los casos fueron iniciales, siendo el resto recidivas. Las mayores tasas de incidencia se dieron en las áreas de influencia de A Coruña y de Vigo. La edad media fue de 40,5 años, con el 57% de los pacientes entre los 15 y 44 años. La incidencia específica en varones fue de 92,8 por cien mil y en mujeres de 54,0 por cien mil (RR=1,72; IC95%: 1,57-1,88). Un 18,1% de los pacientes presentaron al menos uno de los siguientes factores de riesgo: anticuerpos frente al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (9,1%), alcoholismo (8,4%) o adicción a drogas por vía parenteral (7,3%). La presencia de otros factores de riesgo fue muy escasa. La localización pulmonar fue la forma más frecuente con 1389 casos (incidencia: 50,6 por cien mil); con 742 pacientes bacilíferos (incidencia: 27,0 por cien mil). Conclusiones: Galicia presenta una elevada incidencia de tuberculosis con unas características epidemiológicas que sugieren un déficit histórico en las medidas de control de la enfermedad (AU)