Trends in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the State of Rio de Janeiro: a retrospective study conducted during 2000-2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We analyzed the trends in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). METHODS: We performed a time series analysis of primary MDR-TB cases reported in the State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) during 2000-2019. The annual percent change and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) were computed using joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of cases increased from 7.69% in 2000 to 38.42% in 2018. We observed an upward trend during this period (AAPC = 9.4; 95% confidence interval 1.4-18.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The trend indicates the increasing occurrence of MDR-TB transmission sources in RJ during 2000-2019.

Social determinants of health and catastrophic costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis / Determinantes sociais da saúde e custos catastróficos associados ao diagnóstico e tratamento da tuberculose

ABSTRACT The epidemiological relevance of tuberculosis is directly related to the socioeconomic profile of a given country. Vulnerability to tuberculosis is influenced by biological factors (e.g., malnutrition, HIV infection, and age) and social factors (e.g., unhealthy housing, high population density, inappropriate working conditions, and lack of access to health services). In many cases, multiple vulnerabilities occur in conjunction. We propose here a reflection on tuberculosis from the point of view of the social determinants of health, as well as the costs associated with its diagnosis and treatment in Brazil, based not only on data in the international literature but also on evidence related to the national context. Given the magnitude of tuberculosis as a socially mediated disease, there is an evident need for greater involvement of health professionals and of the scientific community to implement relevant operational and research measures to understand the social conditions influencing the health-illness continuum for tuberculosis patients. Although the recent economic crisis in Brazil has contributed to increased mortality from all causes, including tuberculosis, health and social protection expenditures have mitigated detrimental health effects. The evidence presented here underscores the importance of public social protection policies for minimizing the effects of tuberculosis indicators, with the aim of eliminating tuberculosis in Brazil.

RESUMO A relevância epidemiológica da tuberculose está diretamente relacionada ao perfil socioeconômico dos países. A vulnerabilidade à tuberculose é influenciada por fatores biológicos, como desnutrição, infecção por HIV ou faixa etária, e fatores sociais, como habitações insalubres, alta densidade demográfica, condições de trabalho inadequadas e inacessibilidade aos serviços de saúde; porém, muitas vezes essas vulnerabilidades se somam. Propomos aqui uma reflexão sobre a tuberculose sob o ponto de vista dos determinantes sociais de saúde e dos custos associados ao seu diagnóstico e tratamento, baseando-nos não somente em dados publicados na literatura internacional, mas também nas evidências já presentes no panorama nacional. Considerando a magnitude da tuberculose como doença socialmente produzida, fica evidente a necessidade de maior envolvimento de profissionais de saúde e da comunidade científica no sentido de implementar medidas operacionais e de investigação relevantes para a compreensão dos condicionantes sociais do processo saúde-doença na tuberculose. A recente crise econômica pela qual passa o Brasil contribuiu para o aumento da mortalidade por todas as causas, incluindo por tuberculose; porém, investimentos em saúde e proteção social reduziram os danos à saúde. Essas evidências reforçam a importância de políticas públicas de proteção social para a redução dos indicadores da tuberculose visando sua eliminação no Brasil.

Mapping the tuberculosis scientific landscape among BRICS countries: a bibliometric and network analysis

BACKGROUND The five BRICS (Brazil, Russian, Indian, China, and South Africa) countries bear 49% of the world's tuberculosis (TB) burden and they are committed to ending tuberculosis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to map the scientific landscape related to TB research in BRICS countries. METHODS Were combined bibliometrics and social network analysis techniques to map the scientific publications related to TB produced by the BRICS. Was made a descriptive statistical data covering the full period of analysis (1993-2016) and the research networks were made for 2007-2016 (8,366 records). The bubble charts were generated by VantagePoint and the networks by the Gephi 0.9.1 software (Gephi Consortium 2010) from co-occurrence matrices produced in VantagePoint. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm provided the networks' layout. FINDINGS During the period 1993-2016, there were 38,315 peer-reviewed, among them, there were 11,018 (28.7%) articles related by one or more authors in a BRICS: India 38.7%; China 23.8%; South Africa 21.1%; Brazil 13.0%; and Russia 4.5% (The total was greater than 100% because our criterion was all papers with at least one author in a BRICS). Among the BRICS, there was greater interaction between India and South Africa and organisations in India and China had the highest productivity; however, South African organisations had more interaction with countries outside the BRICS. Publications by and about BRICS generally covered all research areas, especially those in India and China covered all research areas, although Brazil and South Africa prioritised infectious diseases, microbiology, and the respiratory system. MAIN CONCLUSIONS An overview of BRICS scientific publications and interactions highlighted the necessity to develop a BRICS TB research plan to increase efforts and funding to ensure that basic science research successfully translates into products and policies to help end the TB epidemic.