Evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality in Fortaleza, Brazil from 1980 to 2001.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality, as well as gender-related and age-related tendencies, in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. METHODS A descriptive study, based on secondary data, was conducted. All deaths from tuberculosis occurring among residents of Fortaleza in the 1980-2001 period and reported to the Ministry of Health via the Mortality Database were included. The evolution of tuberculosis-related mortality was compared with that of overall mortality and with that of mortality from all infectious diseases. The tendencies of the coefficients of overall mortality and of tuberculosis-related mortality, adjusted and unadjusted for age and gender, were calculated for the study period. RESULTS The coefficients of overall mortality and of tuberculosis-related mortality presented decreasing tendencies. The coefficient of tuberculosis-related mortality presented a decreasing tendency in individuals = 19 years of age (y = -0.0906x + 2.5133), from 20 to 59 years of age (y = -0.414x + 12.29) and 60 years of age (y = -1.2494x + 40.289), as well as in males (y = -0.3175x + 10.971) and females (y = -0.1933x + 6.8051). CONCLUSION Despite displaying a decreasing tendency, the coefficient of tuberculosis-related mortality remains high.