TB EPIDEMIOLOGY IN ELDERLY GROUP IN JAPAN

Abstract

[Purpose] To analyze the epidemiological situation of TB among the elderly in Japan.
[Methods] By using the data of TB surveillance, national survey statistics and national basic survey of life.
[Results] TB incidence in both sexes incre ased with age in all survey years. TB incidence among the jobless was higher than among employees in both sexes. TB incidence among female housekeepers was consistently lower than among other groups. TB incidence among both the employed and unemployed has declined rapidly in the last 15 years. The main mode of TB detection was the detection at clinics/hospitals irrespective of presence or absence of TB symptoms. The death rate was higher in cases with immunosuppressive therapy and cases with malignancy.
[Conclusion] Causes of higher TB incidence in the elderly unemployed population should he analyzed. Better detection of TB by improving passive case-finding f or TB sym ptomatic and high-risk groups at clinics/hospitals will be recommended. To reduce the death rate, early diagnosis of TB with immunosuppressive therapy could be strengthened, however its impact might be limited.