What happens to people diagnosed with tuberculosis? A population-based cohort

We examined different patient outcomes following diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Incident cases were reported to the enhanced surveillance system in the East of England, between 2000 and 2003. For the 575 cases reported in 2001 and 2002, outcomes were assessed I year after initiating treatment. The crude clinical incidence rate of TB was 6 center dot 0 cases/100 000 person-years (pyr) [95% confidence interval (CI) 5 center dot 7-6 center dot 4], highest in the 25-29 years age group (14 center dot 9, 95% CI 12 center dot 9-17 center dot 1 cases/100 000 pyr) and among Black Africans (328 center dot 6, 95% CI 286 center dot 9-374 center dot 6 cases/100 000 pyr). Patients born abroad were 2 center dot 35 (95% CI 1 center dot 03-5 center dot 32) times more likely to be lost to follow-up than those born in the United Kingdom. Age at diagnosis (OR 1 center dot 05, 95% CI 1 center dot 04-1 center dot 07) and pulmonary disease (OR 2 center dot 73, 95% CI 1 center dot 21-6 center dot 15) were independently associated with mortality. Elderly patients and those with pulmonary TB appear to have worse outcomes despite treatment. Foreign-born patients may need closer follow-up to ensure favourable outcomes.