The form and presentation of tuberculosis over a 10-year interval in Leeds

Over the 10-year period 1973-82 1958 cases of tuberculosis were notified in Leeds (population 728 000). Records were traced for 1673 patients and analysed for age, race, sex, sputum status, site of tuberculosis, route of diagnosis and occupation. These results are presented. The tuberculosis screening service at the Leeds Chest Clinic diagnosed 172 cases of tuberculosis from 13 794 contacts screened and 41 cases from 12 572 newly arrived immigrants representing 10.3% and 2.4% respectively of the cases for whom records could be traced. Of these cases discovered by the tuberculosis screening service 25 were sputum positive. A further 15 cases were diagnosed from 2638 contacts screened by the static Mass Miniature Unit. The cost of the screening service at the Leeds Chest Clinic is estimated to be a minimum of 2000 pounds for every case of tuberculosis diagnosed.