Demographic distribution of tuberculosis cases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An observational study (2014-2021)

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global infectious cause of death, affecting lungs via active disease or latent infection.
• Saudi Arabia reports low TB incidence (8.4/100,000 in 2023), classifying it as a low-incidence country.
• Understanding regional TB epidemiology is crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the demographic distribution of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Riyadh region.
• To identify epidemiological trends in TB incidence from 2014 to 2021.
• To inform targeted public health interventions for TB control in Saudi Arabia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized descriptive statistics and inferential analyses on surveillance data.
• Applied stratified incidence rates and multivariable regression models.
• Analyzed data from the Riyadh regional laboratory database (2014-2021).

Main Results:

• Out of 7447 cases, 58.0% were non-Saudis and 66.9% were males.
• The 25-34 age group had the most cases (33.9%), shifting to ≥65 after age normalization.
• TB cases among Saudi nationals showed a decreasing trend over the study period (P=0.016).

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate higher TB vulnerability in migrant populations and specific age groups, aligning with global trends.
• The study offers critical insights into Riyadh's TB epidemiology.
• Results can guide policymakers in developing targeted screening and TB control strategies.