Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Galicia, Spain, 1996-2005.
METHODS
Galicia, Spain.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiological evolution and characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in Galicia over a 10-year period from 1996 to 2005.


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was conducted, based on data obtained from the Galicia Tuberculosis Registry.


RESULTS
The incidence of TB in Galicia fell from 72.3 cases per 100000 population in 1996 to 37.7/100000 in 2005, resulting in an average annual decrease of 7.0%. In 2005, 51.6% of cases were aged 15-44 years, 61.6% were men, and 59.2% were exclusively pulmonary. No cavitary lesions were found in 63.4%; 50.3% of pulmonary TB cases were sputum smear-positive, and a positive culture was found in 77.3%; 4.4% were human immunodeficiency virus positive, 3.5% were drug users and 3% were immigrants. At least one contact was studied in 80% of smear-positive index cases. The treatment success rate was close to 90%.


CONCLUSIONS
The annual incidence of TB in Galicia has fallen progressively since the TB programme was implemented; it is nevertheless still higher than in other regions of Spain and neighbouring countries, and greater progress in TB control needs to be made.
Cruz-Ferro
E
E
Galicia Programme for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis, Government of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. elena.cruz.ferro@sergas.es
Fernández-Nogueira
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents