Tuberculosis mortality trends in Taiwan: a resurgence of non-respiratory tuberculosis
Lu, T.H.; Huang, R.M.; Chang, T.D.; Tsao, S.M.; Wu, T.C.
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 9(1): 105-110
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1027-3719 PMID: 15682523 Document Number: 257357
Population-based study in Taiwan. To determine the tuberculosis (TB) mortality trends in Taiwan by site and age. Mortality data for the years 1972 to 2001 were used to calculate the age/site-specific mortality rate (deaths per 100000 population). The year of change in the slope of mortality trends was estimated by iterative piecewise regression analysis. A levelling off in mortality trends was noted in the late 1980s for all age groups except those aged 75 and above. Except in the age group 25-44 years, the trends in respiratory TB mortality showed a smooth decline. However, for non-respiratory TB mortality, a reversal of the decline was noted for all age groups since 1994-1995. A twofold increase in the number of deaths from central nervous system (CNS) and 'other' TB was noted. A marked increase in the number of deaths from old TB was noted since 1992-1996. TB mortality trends in Taiwan have not declined as expected over the past decade. The slowing down of the decline in TB mortality was mainly attributable to a levelling off of respiratory TB mortality in the age group 25-44 and a reversal of non-respiratory TB mortality trends, especially in the 25-44 and > or =65 years age groups.