Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this paper is to present the results of the epidemiological surveillance of tuberculosis (TB) in Catalonia in 2015 and to evaluate its evolution in recent years.
Methods and results: Epidemiological surveillance of TB in Catalonia combines passive and active surveillance systems. In 2015, 1,074 cases were reported (14.3 cases per 105
inhabitants). 59.8% of cases were men and 40.2% women, with a rate of 17.4 and 11.3 cases per 105 inhabitants, respectively. The average age of patients was 43.1 years, significantly higher in the native population (48.2 years) compared to newcomers (37.2 years). Pediatric cases account for 8.1% of the total (7.4 cases per 105 inhabitants). 47.1% of TB cases were newcomers presenting a rate more than four times higher than that of the native population (39.5 and 9.1 cases per 105 inhabitants, respectively). Primary resistance to certain first-line anti-TB drugs was 12.9%; isoniazid, 6.4%; and simultaneously to isoniazid and rifampicin, 1.3%. Diagnostic delay of pulmonary TB cases in 2015 was high but lower than that observed in 2014 (median of 49.5 and 58 days, respectively). A contact tracing study was performed in 83.6% of pulmonary TB cases.
86.7% of TB cases starting treatment during 2014 completed it successfully, without differences between the native population and newcomers. With respect to 2014, TB incidence rate has decreased by 5.3%, due to a reduction of 7.1% among the native population and of 3.2% among newcomers, whereas in 2014 observed reduction compared
to that of 2013 was only 1.9%.
Conclusions: An improvement of TB control indicators, such as sustained reduction in the incidence of cases, an increase in contract tracing studies for pulmonary TB cases or a high rate of successful treatment compliance cases was maintained. To consolidate this
improvement and progress towards a pre-elimination of TB in Catalonia, joint activities of care service providers and public health services in TB cases detection – especially in contacts of pulmonary TB cases, as well as elderly women and newcomers – must be maintained.
Keywords
Tuberculosis; Epidemiological Surveillance
Bibliographic citation
Rodés-Monegal A, López-Espinilla M, García-Lebrón M, Jané-Checa M. La tuberculosi a Catalunya l’any 2015. Butll Epidemiol Catalunya. 2016 Ag.;37(08):186-195.
Audience
Professionals
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