An analysis of latent tuberculosis infection among patients with rheumatic diseases

• Published in: Chung-hua nei kʿo tsa chih Vol. 55; no. 4; p. 307
• Main Authors: Huang, A F, Luo, Y, Zhao, Y, Liu, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; China - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Incidence; Interferon-gamma Release Tests; Latent Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; Rheumatic Diseases - epidemiology; Spondylarthritis - epidemiology; Tuberculosis - diagnosis; Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Tuberculosis - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0578-1426
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1426.2016.04.012

To investigate the incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with rheumatic diseases in order to find evidence for the prevention of mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in these patients. From January 2013 to July 2015, 759 patients with rheumatic diseases and 38 health controls were enrolled. All of them underwent interferon-gamma release assays(T-SPOT.TB)to screen for LTBI. Incidence of MTB infection was evaluated in different groups and test was used for statistical analysis between groups. The incidences of LTBI in patients and health controls were 27.27%(207/759) and 10.53%(4/38), respectively. In 2013, 24.66%(73/296) (standardized infection rate 23.37%) patients with rheumatic diseases were positive for LTBI screening test. In 2014 and 2015, the percentages were 32.02%(73/296) (standardized infection rate was 32.15%) and 25.96%(73/228) (standardized infection rate was 28.46%), respectively, which was statistically significant in these 3 groups (P=0.004). the infection rate in 2014 tende