EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CAMPO MOURÃO, PARANÁ, BETWEEN 2018 AND 2023

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially affecting adults. This study analyzed TB cases in Campo Mourão, Paraná, between 2018 and 2023, focusing on the distribution by sex, age group, and pulmonary and extrapulmonary forms. Data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) revealed that the majority of cases occurred in men (72.8%), with the highest concentration in the 20 to 39 age group. Most cases were pulmonary, with a decrease in diagnoses observed between 2018 and 2021. Segmented regression indicated a mean reduction of 2.4 cases per year, without statistical significance, suggesting that the decrease may be related to interruptions in healthcare services during the pandemic. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common and transmissible form of the disease, and early diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications and transmission, while extrapulmonary TB affects various organs and systems, requiring treatment that includes a combination of antibiotics and social support policies essential for disease control and eradication. Therefore, tuberculosis remains a public health challenge, demanding strategies for early diagnosis and improvements in healthcare access.