IngentaConnect The epidemiology of tuberculosis among asylum seekers in the Neth...

Authors: van Burg J. L.¹; Verver S.²; Borgdorff M. W.²

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 7, Number 2, February 2003 , pp. 139-144(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify low-risk groups among asylum seekers in the Netherlands that may be excluded from tuberculosis (TB) screening at entry or during follow-up.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of medical records of asylum seekers entering the country between January 1994 and March 1997.

RESULTS: Medical records were available for 46424 of the 96000 asylum seekers (48%) in this period. One hundred and three pulmonary TB cases were diagnosed at entry (prevalence 222/100000). Risk factors were age >11 years, history of imprisonment and country of origin at war or with TB incidence >100/100 000. During a mean follow-up period of 10 months, 51 pulmonary TB cases were diagnosed (incidence 134/100000 person-years). Risk factors were age >11 years, old lesions on entry X-ray, and country of origin whose asylum seekers had a prevalence of TB at entry >200/100000.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 1) those with abnormal X-ray at entry should receive preventive therapy after exclusion of active TB, or undergo intensive follow-up, 2) periodic screening is not indicated for immigrants from countries whose asylum seekers have a low prevalence of pulmonary TB at entry, and 3) children <12 years can be excluded from screening.

Keywords: tuberculosis; epidemiology; asylum seekers; screening

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Health, Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), The Hague, The Netherlands 2: Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Association (KNCV), The Hague, The Netherlands

The epidemiology of tuberculosis among asylum seekers in the Netherlands: implications for screening