Skip to main content
Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 9, Number 1

Tuberculosis mortality trends in Taiwan: a resurgence of non-respiratory tuberculosis

Buy Article:

$34.78 + tax (Refund Policy)

SETTING: Population-based study in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the tuberculosis (TB) mortality trends in Taiwan by site and age.

DESIGN: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSION: 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 ≥65 years age groups.

Keywords: Taiwan; cause of death; epidemiology; mortality; tuberculosis

Document Type: Regular Paper

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; and Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 2: Center for Chest Disease, Department of Health, Tainan, Taiwan 3: Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Publication date: 01 January 2005

More about this publication?

  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

    The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.

  • Editorial Board
  • Information for Authors
  • Subscribe to this Title
  • International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
  • Public Health Action
  • Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Share Content

  • Access Key
  • Free content
  • Partial Free content
  • New content
  • Open access content
  • Partial Open access content
  • Subscribed content
  • Partial Subscribed content
  • Free trial content