Is there gender inequality in the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis?

Worldwide, many more males than females were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and died from it globally. In light of this, examining the gender differences among patients with TB is crucial to institute effective prevention, coverage and treatment.

To analyze gender differences in the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary specificities of TB in Southern Tunisia.

We conducted a retrospective study including all new cases of TB of any age, diagnosed between January 1995 and December 2016. Data were collected from the regional register of TB at the Center of Tuberculosis Control of Sfax, Southern Tunisia.

We recorded 2771 new cases of TB. The sex ratio was 1.2. We noted 1160 new cases with pulmonary TB (PTB) (41.9%). Males were more likely to have PTB than females (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.5;p<0.001), while extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) was more common in females (OR=0.4;p<0.001). Lymph node (OR=2.6;p<0.001), cutaneous (OR=2.3;p<0.001) and abdominal TB (OR=2;p<0.001) were significantly more frequent in females. Pleural TB was significantly more common in males (OR=1.2; p<0.001). Case fatality rate was significantly higher in males (OR=1.7;p=0.02). Females experienced recovery more frequently (OR=1.3;p=0.04). Treatment duration was significantly higher in females (8.88±3.6months vs.8.41±3.2months; p<0.001). Between 1995 and 2016, the age standardized notification rate (ASNR) of TB (Rho=0.68; p<0.001) and EPTB (Rho=0.59 p=0.003) had significantly increased in females, while it had not significantly changed in males.

Our study highlighted higher burden and morbidity in males in TB cases in Southern Tunisia. National TB programs should actively focus on these facts with more routine diagnostic and screening targeting males.