Evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality in Fortaleza, Brazil from 1980 to 2001.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality, as well as gender-related and age-related tendencies, in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil.


METHODS
A descriptive study, based on secondary data, was conducted. All deaths from tuberculosis occurring among residents of Fortaleza in the 1980-2001 period and reported to the Ministry of Health via the Mortality Database were included. The evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality was compared with that of overall mortality and with that of mortality from all infectious diseases. The tendencies of the coefficients of overall mortality and of tuberculosis-related mortality, adjusted and unadjusted for age and gender, were calculated for the study period.


RESULTS
The coefficients of overall mortality and of tuberculosis-related mortality presented decreasing tendencies. The coefficient of tuberculosis-related mortality presented a decreasing tendency in individuals = 19 years of age (y = -0.0906x + 2.5133), from 20 to 59 years of age (y = -0.414x + 12.29) and 60 years of age (y = -1.2494x + 40.289), as well as in males (y = -0.3175x + 10.971) and females (y = -0.1933x + 6.8051).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite displaying a decreasing tendency, the coefficient of tuberculosis-related mortality remains high.
Façanha
Mônica Cardoso
MC
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. mfacanha@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000401:mortality*