Influence of migration on tuberculosis in a semi-urban area

To describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis and analyzing the differences among native and immigrant patients in Area III of the Region of Murcia.

Cohort study of tuberculosis cases reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Service from 2004 to 2009. Data collection was performed through the System of Notification Diseases, reviewing clinical files and epidemiological surveys.

One hundred sixty two cases were detected; 110 (67.9%) were immigrants, whose incidence rates ranged from 43.4 to 101.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Ecuador (42.7%), Bolivia (30%) and Morocco (18.2%) were the main nationalities. Immigrants were younger than Spanish population (P<.001). The overall diagnostic delay was 50.5 days: 59.5 in Spanish and 47 in foreigners. Moroccans had higher proportions of extrapulmonary TB (P=.02). Mainly, immigrant population took treatment with four drugs (P<.001). Natives had better treatment adherence (P=.04). Spanish cases tuberculosis were associated with smoking (P<.001), the same as alcohol consumption (P=.01) and injection drug use (P<.001), nevertheless in the foreign-born population the most relevant risk factor was overcrowding (P<.001).

The incidence tuberculosis rates are higher among immigrant population, whose the main risk factor is overcrowding. In contrast, Spanish cases are associated with toxic substances consumption and increasing age.