What are the causes of death of patients with tuberculosis? Multiple causes of death in a cohort of cases and a research proposal of presumed causes

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 ObjetctiveThe objective of this study was to analyze the multiple causes of death in a cohort of patients with tuberculosis (TB) and to introduce an investigation proposal death for TB from a list of presumable causes.
 ApproachWe performed a probabilistic record linkage with the databases of the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) 2006 and the Mortality Information System (SIM) 2006-2008. The underline cause and the association causes of death were analysed by sex, age and time from TB diagnostic to death.
 ResultsThere were 825 deaths, of which 23% for death for TB, deaths due to TB with 16% and 61% without mention of TB. Two hundred and fifteen (42.7%) deaths occurred within the period of treatment, whose profile differed from the pattern of causes when TB was an associated cause, with high frequency of re- spiratory diseases, AIDS and ill-defined causes. We elaborated a proposal for correction of associated causes of death and an investigation proposal death for TB from a list of presumable causes. According to the proposal, 26 deaths could have modified the underlying cause.
 ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of record linkage to TB surveillance and improvement of information the SIM and SINAN.