Descriptive Study on Tuberculosis in Southern Tuscany: hospitalizations at Arezzo's Hospital from 1982 until 1996

Background. At Arezzo, after a reduction of tuberculosis (TB) notifications during the mid Eighties, a gradual increase of the morbidity trend has been observed; a similar trend has been noticed also in Tuscany. Aims. Hospitalization trends related to TB cases admitted to Arezzo's Hospital have been studied between 1982 and 1996 in order to evaluate the epidemiological profile of the disease. Methods. Data relative to tuberculosis at Arezzo’s Hospital were collected by means of the Data Processing Center at Arezzo’s n°8 Public Health Enterprise of Tuscany Region. Results. The mean annual morbidity during the 1992-1995 period was significantly reduced; extra-pulmonary forms showed a gradual decline per year from the early Eighties to the early Nineties. The morbidity distribution according to sex showed a prevalence among males. Conclusions. Although our results show no evidence of a particular state of emergency, the need of an active control programme seems necessary.