An epidemiological review of tuberculosis in the Puerto Rican population.
Past and recent developments related with tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in the island were reviewed. Characteristics of the disease such as surveillance, incidence, mortality and the relation of TB with HIV infection were included. TB remains an important public health problem in Puerto Rico and in the Americas, particularly, in HIV-infected patients. From 1981 through 1998, a total of 1,000 AIDS/TB cases has been reported in the island accounting for 4.4% of the total of AIDS cases. 82% of the AIDS/TB cases were males. The incidence was highest among injecting drug users (IDUs) infected with HIV. The overall incidence of TB in recent years seems to reach a plateau. By the contrary, AIDS/TB cases have been increasing. However, problems of under-reporting must be taken into consideration when analyzing morbidity trends. Adequate and innovative solutions to maintain TB control in the community must be promptly implemented.
Pérez-Perdomo
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University of Puerto Rico, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, San Juan 00936-5067. ros_perez@rcmaca.upr.clu.edu
Pérez-Cardona
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CM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid