Characteristics of tuberculosis cases detected by large-scale active screening in the elderly in rural area of Quzhou, Zhejiang

  Objective  To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases detected through active screening in elderly population in rural area of Quzhou, Zhejiang province and discuss the prevention and control strategies of pulmonary TB.

  Methods  In physical examination for rural residents, chest X-ray examinations were performed for elderly people aged 65 years and over in rural area of Quzhou. Descriptive epidemiological analyses were conducted for the pulmonary TB cases detected in the elderly in the active screening.

  Results  A total of 186 096 people were actively screened and 174 cases of active TB were detected, with a detection rate of 93.50/100 000. Among elderly pulmonary TB cases, 66.67% were pathogenic positive, 30.46% showed cavities in the lungs on imaging examination, 42.53% had clinical symptoms of pulmonary TB, and 68.39% had no chest imaging in the past 5 years. There were significant differences in the detection rate of pulmonary TB and the age specific positive rates of the pathogen between men and women.

  Conclusion  It is necessary to include chest X-ray examination in the basic elderly health management services in areas with high prevalence of pulmonary TB in the elderly. Active screening, can facilitate the early detection TB cases in elderly population to prevent further transmission.