[Trends in tuberculosis in the Ferrara region 1984-1987]

The Authors investigate some epidemiologic aspects of the patients affected by Tuberculosis in Ferrara's area, during 1984-1987. The patients with Tuberculosis and submitted to this study were singled out using documents from: Chair and Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Ferrara School of Medicine, Tresigallo Hospital; Pneumology and Occupational Medicine Service, USL 31, Ferrara; TBC Assistance Bureau, INPS, Ferrara. A total of 563 "cases" of Tuberculosis were recognized; of them, 138 had a relapse of a previous disease, 27 had multiple and contemporary diseases, and 18 had different types of Tuberculosis in various periods of the study. The analysis of the data shows that Tuberculosis is still present in our area, in some cases with clinical features of aggressiveness. In relation to sex and age, a significant increase of Tuberculosis in females during 1986-87, and a significant amount of young patients, were observed. Moreover, a significant rise of extrapulmonary forms, particularly in females, was stressed as well as the onset of primary Tuberculosis during 1987. The very important problem of bacillar spread, and its implication with a report of Tuberculosis in food-stuff sellers and health-staff, are finally discussed. The Authors' conclusion's the following: a more active epidemiologic surveillance of Tuberculosis is still required.