Objective: To discuss the main aspects of co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus in the city of Taubaté (located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil) in 2001 and 2002. Methods: This study presents epidemiological data on tuberculosis cases occurring in Taubaté in 2001 and 2002. Results: Of the 250 cases of tuberculosis analyzed, 70 (28%) presented human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity, 95 (38%) presented human immunodeficiency virus seronegativity, and 85 (34%) were patients who had not been submitted to serological testing. In the first group (tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity), males from 30 to 40 years of age predominated, the most common clinical presentation of tuberculosis was pulmonary (65.71%), and the cure rate was 59.38%. In the group of tuberculosis patients presenting human immunodeficiency virus seronegativity, males from 30 to 40 years of age also predominated, the most common clinical presentation of tuberculosis was also pulmonary (70.55%), and the cure rate was 81.63%. Conclusion: We conclude that the human immunodeficiency virus plays an important role in the epidemiology of tuberculosis. Therefore, serological testing for human immunodeficiency virus should be carried out when a diagnosis of tuberculosis is made.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/epidemiology; HIV infections; HIV; Prevalence

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity among patients with active tuberculosis residing in the city of Londrina, in the state of Paraná, Brazil and treated at the Pulmonology Clinic of the 17th Regional Health Facility of the State of Paraná, and to compare those coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus to those with active tuberculosis only in terms of the clinical form of tuberculosis, sputum smear microscopy, chest X-ray and tuberculosis treatment regimen. Methods: A transversal study involving 188 active tuberculosis patients was conducted. Tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection were diagnosed based on criteria established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. In addition to the data obtained through individual tuberculosis investigation files, clinical and epidemiological information were collected by means of questionnaires, which were completed by all participating patients. Results: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity among patients with tuberculosis was 14.9%. The rate of positive sputum microscopy results was higher in the tuberculosis-only group (p = 0.0275), and the ratio for patients treatment with alternative scheme was significantly higher in the co-infected group (p = 0.042). In 32.1% of the coinfected patients, the serological diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection was made simultaneously to or following that of the tuberculosis. Conclusion: The results underscore the importance of routinely testing for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies in patients diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/complications; Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Soropositivity; HIV/immunology; HIV infections/complications; HIV infections/epidemiology; HIV infections/ drug therapy; Rifampin/therapeutic use; Disease progression

Objective: To compare inpatient and outpatient treatment of tuberculosis, in terms of outcomes, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, as well to determine which variables are most frequently associated with hospitalization. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study carried out between January and December of 2007, at two large hospitals and at outpatient clinics, in two regions of the city of São Paulo. For inpatients, data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Additional data were obtained from the São Paulo State Department of Health Tuberculosis Database. Results: Of the 474 patients included in the study, 166 were inpatients, and 308 were outpatients. The multivariate analysis showed that hospitalization for tuberculosis was associated with hospital/emergency room diagnosis of tuberculosis (OR = 55.42), with HIV co-infection (OR = 18.57), with retreatment (OR = 18.51), and with having previously sought treatment at another health care facility (OR = 12.32). For the inpatient and outpatient groups, the overall cure rates were 41.6% and 78.3%, respectively, compared with 30.4% and 58.5% for those who were co-infected with HIV, whereas the overall mortality rates were 29.5% and 2.6%, respectively, compared with 45.7% and 9.8% for those who were co-infected with HIV. Conclusions: Among inpatients, tuberculosis appears to be more severe and more difficult to diagnose, resulting in lower cure rates and higher mortality rates, than among outpatients. In addition, tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV have less favorable outcomes.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Hospitalization; Primary health care; Treatment outcome.

Objective: In view of the relevance of co-infection with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus, this study was designed to determine tuberculosis prevalence and identify factors related to tuberculosis in patients residing in a region in which both infections are highly prevalent. Methods: All patients treated during 1999 at the HIV/AIDS Clinic of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (Rio Grande Federal University) University Hospital were evaluated retrospectively, from the time of human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis, in terms of the incidence of tuberculosis and its relationship to sociodemographic, behavioral and immunological factors. Results: The sample included 204 patients, and tuberculosis prevalence was found to be 27%. The multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between the development of tuberculosis and being of African descent (odds ratio: 4.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.93-11.72) and an inverse correlation between the development of tuberculosis and the TCD4+ lymphocyte count at the time of human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis (odds ratio: 0.995; 95% confidence interval: 0.993-0.997). When analyzed separately, other variables were found to be potential risk factors: being of the male gender (odds ratio: 2.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-5.39); and using illicit drugs (odds ratio: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-4.31). Conclusion: The factors responsible for the development of tuberculosis among patients who are human immunodeficiency virus seropositive include immunological, socioeconomic and demographic factors. The high rate of tuberculosis prevalence among the seropositive patients underscores the urgent need to implement strategies that combine rapid identification and prompt treatment of individuals with active or latent infection, as well as of those with whom they have been in contact.

Keywords: HIV Infections/complications; AIDS-related opportunistic infections/complications; Tuberculosis/etiology; Tuberculosis/epidemiology

A total of 287 bronchoscopies were performed in 267 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial biopsies (TBB) were sequentially performed in the same lung, in all cases. Specimens were examined after routine laboratory procedures for microbiologic and histologic analysis. Age ranged from 16 to 78 (median 37.2); 228 were men (85.4%) and 39 were women. Dyspnea was the main symptom in 198 cases (69.0%) and interstitial infiltrates (diffuse or localized) were the most common findings at chest radiographs (179 patients, 62.4%). Endoscopic view was normal in 246 patients (85.7%). Mucosal lesions suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were visible in 12 cases (4.2%). BAL detected 97 infectious agents, simultaneous co-infection occurred in 3 cases. TBB identified 165 pathogens (9 of them in association), anticipating a better yield than BAL in the diagnosis of P. carinii (84 versus 51, respectively) and cytomegalovirus (35 v. 0). Biopsies were unique in establishing the appropriate diagnosis of extrabronchial cancer and describing inespecific pneumonitis. Altogether, a definite diagnosis was obtained by bronchoscopic examination (including endoscopic view, BAL and TBB) in 271 of 287 cases (94.4%). Infections were caused by P. carinii in 105 patients (36.6%), Mycobacterium sp in 40 (13.9%), cytomegalovirus in 35 (12.2%), C. neoformans in 13 (4.5%) etc. Malignancies (including KS) were found in 16 patients (5.6%). More than one pathologic process was present in 28 (9.8%). Nonspecific pneumonitis was diagnosed in 56 cases (19.5%) and normal lung in 20 (7.0%). Complications related to bronchoscopy were pneumothorax (8 patients, 2.8%), haemorrhage (8), thoracic pain (2) and distal pneumonia (2). Chest tubes were required in 4 patients, including one fatal case (mortality rate of 0.3%). Combining BAL and TBB results increases the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in AIDS, with a low complication rate. If both techniques are performed, a higher number of infectious agents and more multiple causes of pulmonary disease may be identified.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy/methods. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications. Opportunistic infections related to AIDS/diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate tuberculin test results and relate them to the presence or absence of active tuberculosis, as well as to CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts. Method: The charts of 802 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated between August of 1985 and March of 2003 were reviewed. Of the 185 patients submitted to tuberculin tests (23.1%), 107 (57.8%) were male, and 78 (42.2%) were female. Patients were divided into two study groups: tuberculin test reactors (n = 28); and tuberculin test non-reactors (n = 157). Among the reactors, the mean age was 30.60 years, with a standard deviation of 6.62 years, compared with 34.45 years, with a standard deviation of 10.32 years, among the non-reactors. Results: Most of the individuals tested presented only a mild response to the tuberculin test. We found that, at the time of the test, the percentage of individuals with active tuberculosis was greater in the reactor group than in the non-reactor group. During the test period, 10 reactor group patients and 11 non-reactor group patients presented some clinical form of active tuberculosis. In addition, CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts were lower than 200 cells/mm3 in 6 reactor group patients and in 8 non-reactor group patients. Conclusion: Indurations greater than 5 mm were unrelated to higher absolute CD4+ T-cell counts.

Keywords: Tuberculin test; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Tuberculosis; CD4-positive T-lymphocytes; CD8-positive T-lymphocytes

Objective: To investigate the reported cases of tuberculosis and of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection in Brazil between 2002 and 2012. Methods: This was an observational study based on secondary time series data collected from the Brazilian Case Registry Database for the 2002-2012 period. The incidence of tuberculosis was stratified by gender, age group, geographical region, and outcome, as was that of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection. Results: Nationally, the incidence of tuberculosis declined by 18%, whereas that of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection increased by 3.8%. There was an overall decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis, despite a significant increase in that of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection in women. The incidence of tuberculosis decreased only in the 0- to 9-year age bracket, remaining stable or increasing in the other age groups. The incidence of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection increased by 209% in the ≥ 60-year age bracket. The incidence of tuberculosis decreased in all geographical regions except the south, whereas that of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection increased by over 150% in the north and northeast. Regarding the outcomes, patients with tuberculosis-HIV co-infection, in comparison with patients infected with tuberculosis only, had a 48% lower chance of cure, a 50% greater risk of treatment nonadherence, and a 94% greater risk of death from tuberculosis. Conclusions: Our study shows that tuberculosis continues to be a relevant public health issue in Brazil, because the goals for the control and cure of the disease have yet to be achieved. In addition, the sharp increase in the incidence of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection in women, in the elderly, and in the northern/northeastern region reveals that the population of HIV-infected individuals is rapidly becoming more female, older, and more impoverished.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/epidemiology; HIV infections/epidemiology; Comorbidity.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile, as well as the prevalence, of tuberculosis/HIV co-infection in the Regional Health District of Tocantins, which serves 14 cities in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Methods: This was a descriptive epidemiological study based on secondary data obtained from individual tuberculosis reporting forms in the Brazilian Case Registry Database. We included all reported cases of tuberculosis/HIV co-infection, by city, between January of 2001 and December of 2010. Results: In the district, 1,746 cases of tuberculosis were reported. Of those tested for HIV, 100 had positive results, which corresponded to a tuberculosis/HIV co-infection prevalence of 39%. Of the co-infected patients, 79% were male, 42% were Mulatto, and 64% were in the 20- to 40-year age bracket, 31% had had ≤ 4 years of schooling, and 88% resided in the city of Imperatriz. Cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and new cases of tuberculosis predominated (in 87% and 73%, respectively). Of the co-infected patients, 27% had positive sputum smear microscopy results, and 89% had chest X-ray findings suggestive of tuberculosis. Sputum culture was performed in only 7% of the cases. Conclusions: Our results show that, because of its clinical and epidemiological profile, tuberculosis/HIV co-infection is still a major public health problem in the southwestern region of Maranhão. This situation calls for better coordination between tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease/AIDS control programs, as well as a political commitment and greater involvement on the part of administrators and health care professionals in the planning of interventions and the functioning of health care facilities.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/epidemiology; HIV infections/epidemiology; Comorbidity.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis cases reported in the city of Ribeirão Preto between 1998 and 2003, according to patient HIV status, gender, age bracket and treatment outcome. Methods: This was a descriptive epidemiological study that employed the Brazilian National Tuberculosis Notification Database as an instrument of data collection. The study sample consisted of all cases of human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis co-infection occurring in residents of Ribeirão Preto and reported between 1998 and 2003. Results: During this period, 1273 new cases of tuberculosis were reported, 377 of which were in HIV-positive individuals, for a co-infection rate of 30%. Of the cases of co-infection, 76% were in men, and the majority occurred in individuals in the 20-59 age bracket. In terms of treatment outcome, cure was achieved in 52%, treatment abandonment was reported in 11%, and death occurred in 32%. The predominant clinical form of tuberculosis was the pulmonary form, which accounted for 58% of the cases. Conclusion: A high prevalence of co-infection was observed in the community studied. The treatment outcomes seen among the cases in our study sample underscore the need to adopt special strategies to monitor this clientele. Comparing the cases of tuberculosis in isolation with the cases of co-infection, no gender-related or age-related differences were observed.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; HIV infections; Comorbidity

Objectives: This study describes the epidemiological profile of cases of repeated treatment of tuberculosis occurring among residents of the city of Recife in the year of 1997. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed and 240 cases of repeated treatment were studied, representing 16.2% of all cases of tuberculosis. Results: Interruption of previous treatment was the principal reason for repeated treatments (55.8%), followed by cases of recurrence of the disease (39.2%). Patients undergoing repeated treatment for tuberculosis are characterized as predominantly male, ages between 30 and 49, with little or no school education, with a significant predominance of pulmonary tuberculosis. It is striking that 42.7% of the cases of repeated treatment had a history of two or more previous courses of treatment. With regard to the outcome of the repeated treatment, 52.5% of the cases showed unfavorable results. Among these, 44.2% of the patients gave up the course of treatment and 39.6% followed it for the first month. The cases that returned for treatment following recurrence showed a higher percentage of successful outcomes (56.7%), in comparison to those that returned after interrupting previous treatment (40.2%), this difference being statistically significant (χ2 = 19,55; p < 0,01). It was found that, among the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 27.1% resumed chemotherapy without undergoing the Koch bacillus catarrh test and only 27.1% carried out BK culture with sensitivity test. Conclusions: The results show the need to enhance tuberculosis treatment and follow-up procedures within the sphere of the health care service. An adequate treatment is the cheapest method to avoid drug resistance and should be understood as a strategy to improve the tuberculosis surveillance system.

Keywords: Tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis. Repeated treatment.

Objective: To characterize deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis, according to sociodemographic and operational variables, in the city of São Luís, Brazil, and to describe their spatial distribution. Methods: This was an exploratory ecological study based on secondary data from death certificates, obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Database, related to deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis. We included all deaths attributed to pulmonary tuberculosis that occurred in the urban area of São Luís between 2008 and 2012. We performed univariate and bivariate analyses of the sociodemographic and operational variables of the deaths investigated, as well as evaluating the spatial distribution of the events by kernel density estimation. Results: During the study period, there were 193 deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis in São Luís. The median age of the affected individuals was 52 years. Of the 193 individuals who died, 142 (73.60%) were male, 133 (68.91%) were Mulatto, 102 (53.13%) were single, and 64 (33.16%) had completed middle school. There was a significant positive association between not having received medical care prior to death and an autopsy having been performed (p = 0.001). A thematic map by density of points showed that the spatial distribution of those deaths was heterogeneous and that the density was as high as 8.12 deaths/km2. Conclusions: The sociodemographic and operational characteristics of the deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis evaluated in this study, as well as the identification of priority areas for control and surveillance of the disease, could promote public health policies aimed at reducing health inequities, allowing the optimization of resources, as well as informing decisions regarding the selection of strategies and specific interventions targeting the most vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, pulmonary/mortality; Communicable disease control; Spatial analysis.

Objective: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and associated with opportunistic infections in humans. The aims of this study were to identify NTM in patients with suspected tuberculosis who pre-sented positive cultures and to evaluate the genetic diversity of strains identified as Myco-bacterium avium. Methods: We studied pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples obtained from 1,248 patients. The samples that tested positive on culture and negative for the M. tu-berculosis complex by molecular identification techniques were evaluated by detection of the hsp65 and rpoB genes and sequencing of conserved fragments of these genes. All strains identified as M. avium were genotyped using the eight-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat method. Results: We found that NTM ac-counted for 25 (7.5%) of the 332 mycobacteria isolated. Of those 25, 18 (72%) were M. avium, 5 (20%) were M. abscessus, 1 (4%) was M. gastri, and 1 (4%) was M. kansasii. The 18 M. avium strains showed high diversity, only two strains being genetically related. Conclusions: These results highlight the need to consider the investigation of NTM in patients with suspected active tuberculosis who present with positive cultures, as well as to evaluate the genetic di-versity of M. avium strains.

Keywords: Mycobacterium avium; Nontuberculous mycobacteria; HIV; Genotyping techniques.

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of the Tuberculosis Control Program, in conjunction with the recently incorporated Family Health Program, in the city of Cáceres, Brazil, between 1999 and 2004. Methods: This was a descriptive epidemiological study, based on the registry of tuberculosis cases diagnosed and treated in Cáceres, according to the characteristics of the cases diagnosed, whether or not the protocol for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients was followed, as well as the type of health care facility involved. Results: The incidence of tuberculosis was reduced from 99.4 to 49.8 (per 100,000 inhabitants) between 1999 and 2004. The patients presented characteristics similar to those of patients from other regions of Brazil, with a predominance of males during their most economically productive years. Among the patients presenting pulmonary forms and treated via the Family Health Program, there was a reduction in the number of sputum smear microscopies performed at the moment of diagnosis (OR = 0.33; 95%CI: 0.16-0.66) and prior to discharge (OR = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.18‑0.59). The patients monitored via the Family Health Program presented a 16.4% lower cure rate than did those treated at the referral center, as well as being more likely to abandon treatment (OR = 2.93; 95%CI: 1.15-7.46) and to die (OR = 5.71; 95%CI: 1.85‑18.1). Conclusion: The decentralization of the treatment services to the family health clinics did not improve the treatment or monitoring of tuberculosis cases in the city of Cáceres.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/epidemiology; Community Health Services; Health care reform/Brazil.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of inpatients at a TB referral hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study of the medical charts of patients with TB hospitalized at the Hospital Estadual Santa Maria (HESM), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January of 2002 and December of 2003. Data were collected using a standardized form. Results: Of the 451 patients included in the study, 313 (69.4%) had been referred to the HESM from health care clinics, and 302 (67.0%) were male. Most of the patients were in the 30-59  year age bracket, 443 (98.2%) lived in the greater metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, and 298 (66.1%) lived in the city of Rio de Janeiro itself. The most common reason for hospitalization was poor health status (in 237, 52.5%). The most common comorbidity was AIDS (in 137, 30.4%). The most common signs and symptoms at admission were weight loss, fever and productive cough. Sputum smear microscopy was positive in 122 (71.0%) of the patients presenting with productive cough at admission. Of the 212 patients being retreated, 156 (73.6%) reported noncompliance with previous treatment. Regarding the outcome, 273 (65.8%) of the patients were referred to municipal health care centers, 83 (18.4%) died, 44 (9.8%) were cured, and 27 (6%) were discharged against medical advice. Conclusions: Providing hospitals specializing in TB is relevant for TB control, especially in metropolitan regions. In addition to taking biosafety measures, these hospitals must be prepared to treat patients with TB-related comorbidities and social problems. This study has resulted in improvements at the HESM.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Epidemiology; Hospitalization.

Background: Tuberculosis is an ancient disease, which still remains one of the major ills faced by mankind in the 21st century. In recent decades, new technologies employing the knowledge gained from molecular biology studies have allowed for more accurate detection of tuberculosis and increased investigation of the etiology and epidemiology of the disease. Aim: Evaluating the degree of similarity among strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis provided by the Phthisiology Sector of Centro de Saúde Navegantes (Navegantes Health Clinic) in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Method: A retrospective study was performed involving RFLP typing of 55 sputum samples from outpatients examined at the Centro de Saúde Navegantes. The results of the genotyping were correlated to the conventional epidemiology data. Results: A single pattern was seen in 39 (70.9%) of the isolates, whereas 16 isolates (29.1%) showed clustering patterns and were grouped into 8 clusters of 2 patients each. An epidemiological link was found for 6 (37.5%) of the 16 patients in the clusters. Conclusion: The appropriate combination of conventional epidemiology and genotyping of M. tuberculosis contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of tuberculosis transmission even when such a study is performed in a single, isolated health clinic.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmission. Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length. Epidemiology.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with tuberculosis (TB) only and that of patients with TB/AIDS in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, between 2000 and 2006. Methods: For the patients of interest, we collected demographic and clinical data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Center (TB database), Brazilian Case Registry Database, and Brazilian National Mortality Database, as well as the Brazilian National CD4+/CD8+ T Lymphocyte Count and Viral Load Network Laboratory Test Control System and the Logistic Medication Monitoring System (HIV/AIDS databases). All of the compiled data were cross-referenced. Results: During the study period, we identified 9,543 TB patients > 15 years of age, 437 of whom (4.6%) had AIDS. The median age did not differ between TB/AIDS and TB-only patients (35 years vs. 38 years). Of the 437 TB/AIDS patients, 298 (68.2%) were male, and 156 (35.8%) were in the 30-39 age bracket. In terms of TB treatment outcome, 79.0% were cured, 9.7% were referred to other facilities, 6.0% died, 5.2% abandoned treatment, and 0.2% developed multidrug-resistant TB. Death was 4.75 times more common in patients with TB/AIDS than in those with TB only. Pulmonary TB accounted for 82.4% of the cases. The combination of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB was 8.2 times more common in the TB/AIDS patients than in the TB-only patients (95% CI: 6.2-10.8). Conclusions: Our results emphasize the significance of AIDS among TB patients in Brazil, as well as the importance of evaluating secondary data in order to improve their quality and develop public health interventions.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Brazil.

Objective: Early tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment are determinants of better outcomes and effective disease control. Although tuberculosis should ideally be managed in a primary care setting, a proportion of patients are diagnosed in emergency facilities (EFs). We sought to describe patient characteristics by place of tuberculosis diagnosis and determine whether the place of diagnosis is associated with treatment outcomes. A secondary objective was to determine whether municipal indicators are associated with the probability of tuberculosis diagnosis in EFs. Methods: We analyzed data from the São Paulo State Tuberculosis Control Program database for the period between January of 2010 and December of 2013. Newly diagnosed patients over 15 years of age with pulmonary, extrapulmonary, or disseminated tuberculosis were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used in order to evaluate the association between place of diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Results: Of a total of 50,295 patients, 12,696 (25%) were found to have been diagnosed in EFs. In comparison with the patients who had been diagnosed in an outpatient setting, those who had been diagnosed in EFs were younger and more socially vulnerable. Patients diagnosed in EFs were more likely to have unsuccessful treatment outcomes (adjusted OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.42-1.66), including loss to follow-up and death. At the municipal level, the probability of tuberculosis diagnosis in EFs was associated with low primary care coverage, inequality, and social vulnerability. In some municipalities, more than 50% of the tuberculosis cases were diagnosed in EFs. Conclusions: In the state of São Paulo, one in every four tuberculosis patients is diagnosed in EFs, a diagnosis of tuberculosis in EFs being associated with poor treatment outcomes. At the municipal level, an EF diagnosis of tuberculosis is associated with structural and socioeconomic indicators, indicating areas for improvement.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Emergency treatment; Treatment outcome; Delivery of health care.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of sarcoidosis patients in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive, case-control study involving 100 sarcoidosis patients under outpatient treatment between 2008 and 2010 at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was based on clinical, radiological, biochemical, and histopathological criteria. Results: There was a predominance of females in the 35-40 year age bracket (range, 7-69 years), who accounted for 65% of the sample, although there was a second peak at approximately 55 years of age. The most common symptom was dyspnea (in 47%), and the most common radiological findings were pulmonary and lymph node involvement (stage II; in 43%), followed by stage III (in 20%), stage I (in 19%), stage 0 (in 15%), and stage IV (in 3%). No pleural effusion or digital clubbing was observed at diagnosis. The tuberculin skin test was negative in 94 patients. Spirometric findings at diagnosis were normal in 61 patients; indicative of obstructive lung disease in 21; and indicative of restrictive lung disease in 18. The most common biopsy sites were the lungs (principally by bronchoscopy) and the skin, the diagnosis being confirmed by biopsy in 56% and 29% of the cases, respectively. Treatment with prednisone was initiated in 75% of the patients and maintained for more than 2 years in 19.7%. Conclusions: This study corroborates the findings of previous studies regarding the epidemiological characteristics of sarcoidosis patients.

Keywords: Sarcoidosis/epidemiology; Sarcoidosis/diagnosis; Sarcoidosis/therapy.

The objective of this study was to compare gender differences among tuberculosis patients in a city with a high incidence of tuberculosis. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study involving 560 tuberculosis patients (373 males and 187 females). Sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as data related to diagnostic criteria and treatment outcome, were collected (from the questionnaires and medical records) and subsequently compared between the genders. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 90 days. There were no differences between the genders regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, previous noncompliance with treatment, time from symptom onset, number of medical appointments prior to diagnosis, or treatment outcome. Gender-specific approaches are not a priority in Brazil. However, regardless of patient gender, the delay in diagnosis is a major concern.

Keywords: Poverty; Tuberculosis; Income.