Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in New York State institutions for the mentally ill

Abstract

1. Chest X-ray surveys of all the public mental institutions in New York State have been completed. 2. Clinically significant pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 5.6 per cent of the patients in the State hospitals and in 2.4 per cent of the patients in the State schools and Craig Colony. 3. The prevalence rates increase with the length of time between first admission and the X-ray survey. They also increase with age, in the hospitals up to age 45, and in the schools at all ages. 4. Among patients with time periods up to five years between first admission and X-ray, the prevalence of tuberculosis among dementia praecox patients is in general, lower than, or approximately equal to, the prevalence among patients with other types of mental disease. 5. Clinically significant pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed among 1.1 per cent of the employees of the State hospitals and 0.7 per cent of the employees of the State schools and Craig Colony. 6. Facilities for the segregation of patients with clinically significant pulmonary tuberculosis are inadequate at present, but plans are being made for the provision of well-equipped centers for the segregation and treatment of these patients.