The challenge of osteo-articular tuberculosis in the twenty-first century: a 15-year population-based study.
METHODS
Serbia, an intermediate tuberculosis (TB) incidence country in socio-economic transition.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the epidemiological and clinical pattern of osteo-articular TB (OATB) in Serbia over 15 years.


METHODS
This retrospective observational study included OATB cases diagnosed between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2007, according to the National Referral Institute of Lung Diseases and TB in Belgrade and the Central TB Register. Population estimates with extrapolations were based on 1991 and 2002 census data.


RESULTS
The 295 OATB cases represented 10.9% (range 5.3-20.2) of all extra-pulmonary TB cases notified in Serbia over the period. One tenth of these were relapses. The incidence rate showed a significant increasing trend (y = 0.1167 + 0.0175x, R(2) = 0.3196), with an average age-specific incidence rate of 0.26 per 100 000 population. The peak number of cases was in the 45-64 year age group for both men and women. The average male:female ratio was 0.85. The outcome was favourable for 279 of the 295 patients (94.6%). In addition to a standardised chemotherapy regimen, 25.4% patients underwent surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The increasing time trend of OATB is caused by increased morbidity, a higher TB detection rate and better notification. Although rare in children, OATB remains a challenge in clinical practice.
Lesić
A R
AR
School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Pesut
D P
DP
Marković-Denić
L
L
Maksimović
J
J
Cobeljić
G
G
Milosević
I
I
Atkinson
H D E
HD
Bumbasirević
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D000995:Antitubercular Agents