A 10-year study, entitled “Mortality among tuberculosis patients in Saudi Arabia,” has established that most non-Saudis in the Kingdom have twice the TB incidence rate compared to Saudis since they come from TB endemic areas of the world.
The study, conducted between 2001 and 2010, used official data from the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP).
The study included TB cases registered in Saudi Arabia with known outcomes of survival or death while under anti-TB therapy.
The study revealed that mortality among TB patients showed a declining trend among Saudis and a stagnant trend among non-Saudis beginning 2003.
The study said that the fatality rate from TB was found to be positively correlated to age, among both Saudis and non-Saudis.
Saudi males showed a 7.3 percent correlation compared to 5.3 percent among females.
The study, published in the May/June issue of the “Annals of Saudi Medicine,” recommended that the World Health Organization modify the definition of mortality among TB patients. It urged the NTCP in Saudi Arabia to adopt and implement the “International Classification of Diseases” (ICD10) criteria for the registration of TB patients.
It also suggested improved health care services for the elderly and to monitor and strengthen NTCP performance for the early detection and treatment of patients as well as to initiate collaborative TB/HIV activities.
Besides, the study advised screening of all suspected TB patients for HIV. It urged extended research in the area of delayed diagnosis.
According to the WHO and “Stop TB Partnership,” the target is to halve the prevalence and death rates by 2015 compared to the 1990 levels. It also aims to reduce the global incidence of active TB to one case per one million by the year 2050.
Saudi Arabia has achieved the target of reducing TB related deaths. The fatality rate has shown a declining trend since 2003. This could be attributed to the wide network of free health care facilities to all TB patients.
The Kingdom has also recorded lower TB fatalities than other countries in the region.
According to the study, strengthening the laboratory network and provision of latest molecular technology would enhance early diagnosis and treatment of suspected patients. This could result in a further decline in TB related deaths.
It also said that Saudi males were more prone to death from TB than females. A prior history of TB was associated with an increased risk of death among both Saudis and non-Saudis.
TB mortality rate among Saudis declining
