[Tuberculosis incidence and cure rates, Brazil, 2000-2004]

To describe the geographical distribution of tuberculosis incidence rates based on a set of epidemiological and operational indicators from information system database.

Data from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Brazilian Information System for Tuberculosis Notification) were collected after removal of improper repeat records and record linkage. Tuberculosis incidence rates were estimated according to geographical unit, age group, sex, clinical manifestation and treatment schedule and standardized for population age group distribution based on 2000 Population Census.

In 2004, in Brazil, tuberculosis incidence rate was 41 per 100,000 inhabitants and 74,540 new cases were notified. Of these, 52.8% were pulmonary tuberculosis with positive bacilloscopy, 24.1% were under supervised treatment, 63.5% were from state capitals or metropolitan areas, and 54.9% were cured cases (complete treatment). After records with missing outcome data were excluded, cure rates were 72.4% for new cases, 47% for new HIV-positive cases, 64.9% for relapses, 64.5% for transfers in/out, and 40% for returns after default. Cure rate for new cases under supervised treatment was 77.1%. A higher proportion of records with missing outcome information was seen in recent years.

Different incidence rates and treatment outcomes were found in different Brazilian states. To reach the 85% cure goal for new cases and to increase cure in HIV-positive and defaults cases additional efforts are needed by the Brazilian National Tuberculosis Program, including scaling up the Directly Observed Therapy Strategy.