Abstract:
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trend of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Xizang Autonomous Region(Xizang) during 2014–2023 and provide evidence for the development of targeted prevention strategies in high-altitude region.
Methods Pulmonary TB surveillance data in Xizang during 2014-2023 were collected from the infectious disease reporting subsystem of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System for a descriptive analysis on the gender, age, and occupation distributions of pulmonary TB cases. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the temporal trends of overall and gender/age/area-specific incidence rates, occupation distribution, and laboratory confirmation rate of pulmonary TB in Xizang during this period.
Results A total of 51 872 pulmonary TB cases were reported in Xizang during 2014−2023, with an average annual incidence of 152.06/100 000. The overall incidence exhibited a declining trend average annual percent change (AAPC) = −5.58% and rapid decline after 2019 annual percent change (APC) = −14.85%. Changdu had the highest annual reported incidence rate (251.20/100000). The incidence rate in men (163.30/100 000) was significantly higher than that in women (140.27/100 000) ( χ2 = 297.604, P<0.001), the incidence risk was 0.86−2.23 times higher in men than in women in all age groups. Two incidence peaks were observed: in age groups 15−<25 years (309.35/100000) and ≥65 years (296.91/100 000). The incidence rate was high in children aged 0−<15 years (36.34/100000). The laboratory confirmation rate increased from 21.26% in 2014 to 46.08% in 2023 (AAPC = 8.14%). Occupation distribution analysis indicated that farmers (26993 cases, 52.04%), students (11682 cases, 22.52%), and herdsmen (5321 cases, 10.26%) were the top three groups affected. The case proportion continued to decrease in farmers (AAPC = APC = −1.67%). The case proportion initially increased during 2014–2021 (APC=8.97%), then decreased during 2021–2023 (APC = −19.97%) in students, and decreased during 2014–2021 (APC = −5.60%) then increased during 2021–2023 (APC = 29.64%) in herdsmen.
Conclusion The reported pulmonary TB incidence declined in Tibet from 2014 to 2023, but it remained above national level. It is necessary to take classified measures to strengthen TB control in agricultural/pastoral areas, conduct gender specific intervention and active screening and preventive treatment in students, promote the surveillance in the elderly, and expand molecular diagnosis coverage to improve detection capacity and curb TB transmission in plateau region.