Burden of tuberculosis among aboriginal and non-aboriginal Taiwanese, 1996-2006

To estimate the tuberculosis (TB) burden in Taiwan from 1996 to 2006, based on incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Data were collected from three databases: Tuberculosis Registry Database, National Mortality Database and Taiwan Household Registration System Database. Age standardisation of the incidence/mortality rates was performed by the direct method, using the 2000 World Health Organization world population as standard. Disease burden estimation used DALY, based on the Global Burden of Disease study.

The age-adjusted TB incidence/mortality rates decreased during the study period. The highest DALYs per 100,000 were in the ≥65 years age group among non-aboriginals, and in the 35-54 years and ≥65 years age groups in aboriginals. In general, the DALY/case increased with age among non-aboriginals, whereas the highest DALY/case was found in the 35-44 years age group in aboriginals. The DALY/100,000, DALY/case and total DALY significantly decreased from 1996 to 2006 for non-aboriginals, but fluctuated for aboriginals.

This analysis provided the first comprehensive evaluation of the burden of TB in Taiwan. The prevention and treatment of TB among aboriginals in all age groups should be enhanced.