EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NOTIFIED CASES OF TUBERCULOSIS-HIV TREATED IN A REFERENCE HOSPITAL IN THE STATE OF PARAÍBA, 2005-2011

Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of cases of co-infection of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV+/AIDS in a reference hospital in the state of Paraíba. Material and Methods: This was an epidemiological study using data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), Epidemiology Nucleus of Clementino Fraga Hospital Complex of Infectious Diseases, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. The study population was composed of all individuals with TB and HIV notified between 2005 and 2011. Results: 501 co-infection cases were reported. Of these, 70% were male and 94% adults aged from 20 to 59 years. The average of new TB cases was 506±106.6 per year and the annual average of co-infection cases was 72. With regard to the treatment outcomes of TB, there was a 51.3% rate of cure, 22.4% of dropout, 8.6% of transfer to other health units, and 15.8% of death. There was a change in diagnosis in 1.4% of cases. In 0.2% and 0.4% of the cases, there was a presence of multidrug-resistant TB and unknown outcome, respectively. Conclusions: The investigation of TB in HIV / AIDS patients and HIV testing in TB patients is important. Policies and actions to combat these diseases are essential to reduce the impact of co-infection and must be developed in collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS control programs and government and non-governmental organizations. DESCRIPTORS Tuberculosis. HIV. Co-infection. Epidemiology.