[Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Spain: results of the Multicenter Project for Tuberculosis Research].
BACKGROUND
To analyze clinical practice regarding tuberculosis in Spain.


METHODS
After active search in 14 registries, cases of tuberculosis were identified in 13 autonomous regions, representing almost 67% of the total Spanish population. The study period was May 1996-April 1997.


RESULTS
10,053 cases were identified. Almost 80% were diagnosed at the hospital and most of the patients (91.7%) were symptomatic. Median patient delay was 21 days and median delay between symptoms and treatment was 41 days. Smear and culture was performed in 82% of pulmonary cases while at least a culture was performed in 75.5% of extrapulmonary cases. 72.5% of pulmonary cases and 39.7% of extrapulmonary cases were culture positive. More than 76% of the subjects were treated with 3 drugs, generally rifampin, isoniazid and pirazinamide in agreement with Spanish guidelines; however, the information on duration of treatment was insuficient. Combined tablets were usually prescribed (86.8% of patients) and use of DOT was scarce (5.4% of cases). The information on contact investigation was poor.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic and treatment practices regarding tuberculosis have clearly improved in Spain, but patient management has still to improve.
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents