PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN THE STATE OF BAHIA (2014-2024): ANALYSIS OF CONFIRMED CASES AND THE LINK TO DRUG RESISTANCE

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the number of confirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the state of Bahia from 2014 to 2024, with the aim of investigating their association with drug resistance. This is a mixed-methods study comprising a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological analysis of confirmed cases obtained from SINAN/DATASUS, combined with a narrative review of the literature on drug resistance, with searches conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, CAPES, and LILACS databases. The data were organized into spreadsheets and analyzed using descriptive statistics and temporal trends. An atypical reduction in cases was observed in 2020, associated with underreporting during the pandemic, as well as a higher concentration in the 20–59 age group. Laboratory confirmation remained stable, though with diagnostic limitations, notably the presence of drug-resistant forms, which were associated with worse outcomes and concentrated in urban centers. It is concluded that tuberculosis remains a public health challenge in Bahia, with inadequate treatment adherence being a relevant factor in the emergence of drug-resistant forms and its impact on cure rates.