Capture-recapture and anti-tuberculosis drug prescriptions, Balearic Islands, Spain, 2010-2012
J Gimenez-Duran1, A Galmes-Truyols1, T Gonzalez-Cortijo1
1Epidemiology Service, Public Health Directorate of the Balearic Islands Regional Government, Palma, Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria de les Illes Balears (IdISBA), Palma.
Setting:
Tuberculosis (TB) control requires accurate knowledge of TB incidence, but few studies have been published on TB incidence using individual data from drug prescriptions.
Objective:
To measure the estimated completeness of regional surveillance system data before and after adding data from anti-tuberculosis drug prescriptions.
Design:
We compiled data on all individuals who received specific anti-tuberculosis drugs from three sources-the passive surveillance system, the active surveillance system and the anti-tuberculosis drug prescription database-in the Balearic Islands, Spain, between 2010 and 2012. We applied the capture-recapture method to measure completeness of data reporting. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Results:
We detected 605 incident cases, compared with an estimated incidence of 719 cases (95%CI 646-793), representing 84.1% data completeness. We detected 480 of an estimated 559 pulmonary TB cases (95%CI 501-617; 85.9% data completeness) and 125 of an estimated 161 extra-pulmonary TB cases (95%CI 113-211; 77.6% data completeness).
Conclusions:
By adding a new source, we increased detection with respect to a previous study by 10.4% for all forms of TB, 9.7% for pulmonary TB and 13% for extra-pulmonary TB.
Related Concept Videos
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...


