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Tuberculosis and immigration in an area of southwest Madrid

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OBJECTIVE: To describe differences between Spanish and immigrant tuberculosis (TB) cases.

DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study of Spanish and immigrant TB patients diagnosed in a Madrid hospital from 2004 to 2013.

RESULTS: A total of 322 patients were analysed, 183 Spanish-born and 139 immigrants (sub-Saharan Africa 32.4%, Morocco 28.8%, Latin America 20.1% and Eastern Europe 17.3%). Immigrants were younger and had a higher rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (P < 0.05). Spanish TB patients were often smokers and immunosuppressed (not HIV) (P < 0.001). No differences in symptoms and site of disease were detected. A higher proportion with isoniazid (INH) resistance was observed among immigrants (14.6% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.05), regardless of country of origin. Being an immigrant was an independent risk factor for INH resistance (OR 4.8, 95%CI 1.3–17.9).

CONCLUSION: There is currently no consensus on whether or not it would be appropriate to treat Spanish and immigrant patients with different regimens. Being an immigrant is a clear risk factor for INH resistance. According to our results, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of changing treatment protocols in Madrid, Spain. It is also important to introduce specific strategies for the management of TB among immigrants.

Keywords: Spanish; immigration; resistant TB

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: *Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid 2: Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain

Publication date: 01 April 2016

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  • 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.

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