Tuberculosis among institutionalized elderly in Alberta, Canada.
Previous studies in the US have suggested that the risk of tuberculosis is increased among elderly residents of nursing homes. This registry-based study determined and compared the tuberculosis incidence rate for the elderly in nursing homes and community dwellings in Alberta, Canada, over the 5-year period 1979-1983. Rate ratios (RR) using the community elderly rate as baseline, were estimated for all notified cases and for culture positive cases only. Adjustment was made for the variables age, sex, and ethnicity. The nursing home elderly in Alberta did not have an increased risk of tuberculosis: adjusted RR = 1.09, 95% CI : 0.38-1.80.
Macarthur
C
C
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Enarson
D A
DA
Fanning
E A
EA
Hessel
P A
PA
Newman
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007326:Institutionalization; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*