Evolution of the main indicators of the tuberculosis epidemic in Romania between 2000-2006

Background

            The actual epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) in Romania shows the necessity of early detection and directly observed treatment application. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of TB epidemic in Romania between 2000-2006, compared with the European average, for the evaluation of TB control strategy in Romania.

Methods

The study was retrospective, describing the evolution of the main epidemiological indicators of TB in Romania from 2000-2006. The dates were obtained from “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology from Bucharest, Ministry of Public Health Report 2006, European health for all database (HFA-DB) 2007 and WHO TB Report 2008.

Results

            After registering a peak of the studied period in 2002 (142,2/100000), the global incidence of TB steadily declined until 113/100000 in 2006, almost three times higher than the European average (41/100000), being on the fourth place in Europe.

From all the registered cases (new and relapses) in 2006, 40% were smear-positive. The percentage of the extrapulmonary forms from all TB cases was the same in Romania with the European average (15%).

The incidence of relapses increased with 18.34%, from 16.9/100000 in 2000 to 20/100000 in 2006, with a peak in 2002 (23.3/100000).

The pediatric TB rate is with 24.76% lower in 2006 (31,6/100000) than in 2000 (42/100000), the maximum value of the period being registered in 2002 (48,2/100000).

Prevalence of TB in 2006 was 2.6 times higher than the European average.

TB mortality was with 16.84% lower in 2006 (7.9/100000) compared with 2000 (9.5/100000).

            According with WHO Report 2008, from the 12282 lab-confirmed Multi-Drug-Resistance –(MDR) TB cases in Europe in 2006, 5709 were MDR in new cases, from which 33 were from Romania.

Conclusions

            Despite a decline in TB nationwide after 2002, the rates are still very high and Romania detains   the forth place in Europe due to the global incidence of TB.