English summary: TREATMENT OUTCOME OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN FINLAND IN 2007

Background Tuberculosis outcome monitoring is an integral part of national tuberculosis control programmes. The resurgence of tuberculosis in Eastern Europe, the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) and immigration from countries where tuberculosis is endemic, call for intensified surveillance of TB. Up-to-date information on treatment outcome supports early identification of problems and instituting timely interventions.

In 2008 we started a new surveillance system in the Finnish National Public Health Institute (now the National Institute of Health and Welfare) for treatment outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis, as an integral part of the infectious disease register. Our aim was to report the results of treatment outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis in 2007 in Finland.

Methods We sent precompleted forms to all health care districts for collecting data on all microbiologically confirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis registered in 2007. Treatment outcome was assessed at 12 months from registration date (the date of the first sample confirming TB) by the lung physician responsible for TB or the infectious disease specialist responsible for control of communicable diseases in the region. The data were entered in the national infectious disease register.

Findings 199 cases were included in the study cohort, 65% of them were men and 35% women. The mean age was 58 years. The outcome was favourable in 72% of cases and unfavourable in 22%. Death was the outcome in 21% of cases. In those under 65 years of age the outcome was favourable in 81% and >=65 years in 62%. Death was the outcome in 10% and 32% respectively, a statistically significant difference (p<0.001).

Conclusions Treatment outcome surveillance data collection coverage was comprehensive. The treatment outcome was favourable more often than in our previous cohort from 1995 and 1996. The study results provide a basis for tuberculosis control in Finland. The high death rate may be due to delays in diagnosis and treatment suggesting a need for educating physicians.

Kiitämme kaikkia keuhkotuberkuloosin hoidon lopputulosarviointiin osallistuneita keuhko- ja infektiolääkäreitä sekä muita hoidon lopputulosarviointiin osallistuneita henkilöitä.

Kiitämme lomaketiedot tallentanutta Raili Ronkaista.