Mortality among tuberculosis patients in The Netherlands in the period 1993-1995

This study aimed to estimate excess mortality among tuberculosis patients in The Netherlands and identify risk factors for tuberculosis-associated mortality. The national tuberculosis register provided data on patients diagnosed in the period 1993-1995. Excess mortality in tuberculosis cases, according to age and sex, was determined by comparison with national mortality rates. Risk factors were identified and adjustment for confounders was carried out using Cox's proportional hazard analysis. Of 4,340 patients alive at diagnosis, 258 died within 1 yr while on treatment. The Kaplan-Meier survival probability after 1 yr was 93%. Tuberculosis patients had a standardized mortality ratio of 8.3. Independent risk factors for mortality were: gender; age; presence of a malignancy or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; addiction to alcohol or drugs; localization of tuberculosis; and the type of medical officer having made the diagnosis. Of all deaths, 83% occurred in two risk groups comprising 21% of tuberculosis patients: those aged > or =65 yrs and those having HIV infection or a malignancy. Tuberculosis patients in The Netherlands are at a considerably increased risk of death. However, the prognosis is very good for those aged less than 65 yrs and without human immunodeficiency virus infection or a malignancy.