[Tuberculosis and immigration in a health sanitary area in Madrid, Spain. Trends in 1994-2003].
OBJECTIVE
To describe trends and epidemiological characteristics of immigrant and native populations with tuberculosis.


METHODS
Population-based, descriptive analysis of case data reported to the Regional Registry of Tuberculosis Cases from 1994 to 2003 living in the south of Madrid, Spain (755,202 inhabitants).


RESULTS
The number of cases reported was 2211, of which 269 (12.1%) were foreign-born persons. Tuberculosis incidence declined from 46.6/100,000 in 1994 (2.9% immigrants) to 25.2/100,000 in 2003 (35.8% immigrants) (p < 0.001). Foreign-born persons with tuberculosis had come to Spain from Latin America-Caribbean (56%), Africa (30%) and Europe (11%). Of the foreign-born, 73.6% developed active tuberculosis within 5 years of arrival (50.9% within 2 years).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of tuberculosis has declined in the study area but the tendency to decrease has come to a halt because of cases occurring among immigrants. Among those for whom the date of Spain entry was known, a half arrived 2 years or less prior to the diagnosis of tuberculosis. We stress that tuberculosis control programs must target such at-risk population.
Arce Arnáez
Araceli
A
Servicio de Salud Pública Area 11, Madrid, Spain. araceli.arce@madrid.org
Iñigo Martínez
Jesús
J
Cabello Ballesteros
Luisa
L
Burgoa Arenales
Mar
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population