title: Risk factors for tuberculosis in Greenland: case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite several efforts aiming at disease control, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) remains high in Greenland, averaging 131 per 100,000 population during the period 1998-2007. The purpose of the present study was to disclose risk factors for TB.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was performed among 146 patients diagnosed with TB in the period 2004-2006. For each patient, four healthy age- and sex-matched control persons living in the same district were included. All participants completed a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Risk factor analyses were carried out using logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factors associated with TB were Inuit ethnicity, living in a small settlement, unemployment, no access to tap water, no bathroom or flushing toilet, underweight, smoking, frequent intake of alcohol and immunosuppressive treatment. The multivariate model showed that Inuit ethnicity (OR 15.3), living in a settlement (OR 5.1), being unemployed (OR 4.1) and frequent alcohol use (OR 3.1) were independent determinants of risk. Unemployment was associated with the highest population-attributable risk (29%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risk factors associated with living in a settlement should be further explored and an investigation of genetic susceptibility is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Queen Ingrids Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland. kala@peqqik.gl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ladefoged
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rendal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skifte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Søborg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult