[Status, development and trends in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in East Germany since 1982]

The article is an epidemiologic review of the situation in the German Democratic Republic with regard to tuberculosis. Conclusions for the future strategy to fight tuberculosis are drawn. During the past few years the drop in the incidence of tuberculosis, especially of bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis, is no longer as marked as it had been previously. Today, tuberculosis is a disease of middle and advanced age, under present prevailing conditions. The strategy for the discovery of new cases of tuberculosis must be adapted to these facts. For surveillance of tuberculosis during the coming years it will be necessary to explore new methods of case finding and of the discovery of sources of infection, screening of high-risk groups and examination of patients with bronchopulmonary signs and symptoms.