Are there still effects on Indian Subcontinent ethnic tuberculosis of return visits?: a longitudinal study 1978-97.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether return visits to the Indian Subcontinent (ISC) are associated with increased risks of developing clinical tuberculosis.

METHODS

Descriptive analysis of epidemiological records over a period of 1978-97 inclusive in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley for individuals of ISC ethnic origin notified with tuberculosis. Those cases diagnosed through local contact tracing exercises were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 1032 eligible individuals notified with tuberculosis, 228 (22.1%) reported prior visits to the ISC. Of these 151 (66%) reported having visits within 3 years of that notification, including 60% of the United Kingdom (U.K.) born without prior exposure to the ISC.

CONCLUSION

The clinical observations are consistent with the hypothesis that return visits to the ISC carry a risk of acquiring tuberculosis. This cannot be confirmed, however, without information about the return visits in the ISC population as a whole. A case-control study may be required to confirm the hypothesis.