ABSTRACT

Aim

The incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) is estimated by the World Health Organization as 128/100.000 worldwide. The main principles of TB control are early case detection and diagnosis, followed by directly observed treatment of patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the dynamics of TB between 2007 and 2011 in Tekirdağ.

Material and Methods

Data were obtained from TB dispensaries and separated into oneyear categories. Case notification rates were analysed by different age groups (0–14, 15–24, 25–44, 45–64, 65 and above). The patients were divided into two groups according to involved organs: pulmonary (smear/culture positive=PSP and smear/culture negative/unknown=PSN/U) and extrapulmonary. Antibiotic susceptibility tests to major antituberculosis drugs were performed on M. tuberculosis strains that were grown in culture and suspected of being resistant. Resistance to both INH and rifampicin were accepted as multiple drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Results

A total of 162.291 patients were examined, and out of this population, 1311 (0.8%) tuberculosis patients were evaluated. The distribution of case notification rates by year were 44.6%, 34.6%, 33.4%, 28.6%, and 27.6%from 2007 to 2011, respectively. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB rates were 74.5%(46.0%PSP and 28.5%PSN/U) and 25.5%, respectively. Extrapulmonary TB rates were 42.3% and 17.6% in men and women, respectively. Resistance rates against INH, rifampicin, ethambutol, and streptomycin were 21.6%, 8.8%, 1.6%, and 6.4%, respectively. The MDR-TB rate was 6.4%.

Conclusion

Systematic implementation of directly observed treatment programs plays an important role in decreasing TB incidence. Because the TB rates in our region are above the average for Turkey, screening and follow-up procedures must be conducted more stringently and regularly.