Characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in migrants under current conditions

Abstract

Background. Migration is a social phenomenon with major interest. The WHO warns of the worsening at the global level of epidemiological situation in tuberculosis (TB) in recent years, conditioned by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and migration that is currently generated by armed conflicts triggered in many regions. Objective(s). Analysis of the clinical-paraclinical features and evolution of pulmonary TB in patients diagnosed with different clinical forms of pulmonary TB with a history of migration. Materials and methods. A retrospective, selective study was conducted by analyzing 56 cases of pulmonary TB diagnosed in people with a history of migration, hospitalized for treatment in the Municipal Hospital of Phthisiopneumology, Chisinau during the years 2022- 2024. Clinical observation sheets were examined. A questionnaire was completed for each case. Results. The age of migrant patients was: 25-34 yrs.-21 (37.8%), ˂24 yrs.-6 (10.7%), 35-44 yrs.-15 (26.7%), 45-54 yrs.-8 (14.2%), 55-64 yrs.-5 (8.9%), over 65 yrs.-1 (1.7%) cases, 46 (82%) cases being men. Migrants from Russian Federation were 29 (51.7%), from European countries-27 (48.3%) cases, including 6 (10.7%) from Ukraine. Duration of stay abroad was in 12 (24%) cases up to a year, 28 (56%) - between 2-3 years, 10 (20%)-4 years and more. Infiltrative pulmonary TB was established in 44 (78.5%) patients. Drug-resistant TB was established in 17 (31%), complications of the disease in 31 (38%) patients. The therapeutic success constituted 95% cases. Conclusion(s). Pulmonary TB in migrants is characterized by predominantly affecting the male gender and young age. 1/4 patients develop complications of the disease. Therapeutic success is achieved in most cases of pulmonary TB in migrants. Migrants should be systematically examined for TB.