[Economic and social implications of post-tuberculosis syndromes]

The fact that 30.5% of patients with post-tuberculous syndromes belonging to a category of active population have been pensioned off for health reasons is a demonstration that these syndromes may play a significant role in determining the incapacity for work. The practical conclusion is that the prophylaxis of post-tuberculous syndromes--early diagnosis, chemotherapy with new drugs, and kinesitherapy--in all cases of tuberculosis at their first treatment may determine a deceased incidence of these syndromes. The reduction of the percentage of post-tuberculous syndromes recorded for 100 cases of tuberculosis treated with modern therapeutic regimens will result in a collective benefit consisting in a lower pressure on the general and specialized sanitary network with regard to the number of procedures provided. The health network potentialities could this be used for the solving of other problems of public health. At the same time by reducing the percentage of post-tuberculous syndromes, important funds can be spared, which are used for treatment, sick-leave pay, and invalidity pensions. The continuous improvement of the organizational frame of health protection in our country should consider also the official regulatory of the medico-social status of patients with post-tuberculous syndromes.