Long-term risk of tuberculosis among migrants according to migrant status: a cohort study
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Long-term risk of tuberculosis among migrants according to migrant status : a cohort study. / Kristensen, Kristina Langholz; Ravn, Pernille; Petersen, Jørgen Holm; Hargreaves, Sally; Nellums, Laura B.; Friedland, Jon S.; Andersen, Peter Henrik; Norredam, Marie; Lillebaek, Troels.
In: International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 49, No. 3, 01.06.2020, p. 776-785.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Long-term risk of tuberculosis among migrants according to migrant status
T2 - a cohort study
AU - Kristensen, Kristina Langholz
AU - Ravn, Pernille
AU - Petersen, Jørgen Holm
AU - Hargreaves, Sally
AU - Nellums, Laura B.
AU - Friedland, Jon S.
AU - Andersen, Peter Henrik
AU - Norredam, Marie
AU - Lillebaek, Troels
PY - 2020/6/1
Y1 - 2020/6/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: The majority of tuberculosis (TB) cases in low-incidence countries occur in migrants. Only few studies have assessed the long-term TB risk in migrants after immigration, and datasets have not considered this across a range of diverse migrant groups. This nationwide study aimed to investigate long-term TB risk among migrants according to migrant status and region of origin. METHODS: This cohort study included all migrants aged ≥ 18 years who obtained residence in Denmark from 1993 to 2015, with a mean follow-up of 10.8 years [standard deviation (SD) 7.3]. Migrants were categorized based on legal status of residence and region of origin. Incidence rates (IR) and rate ratios (IRR) were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 142 314 migrants were included. Across all migrants, the TB risk was highest during year 1 of residence (IR 275/100 000 person-years; 95% CI 249-305) followed by a gradual decline, though TB risk remained high for over a decade. Compared with the Danish-born population, the IRRs after 7-8 years were particularly higher among former asylum seekers (IRR 31; 95% CI 20-46), quota refugees (IRR 31; 95% CI 16-71), and family-reunified with refugees (IRR 22; 95% CI 12-44). Sub-Saharan African migrants also experienced elevated risk (IRR 75; 95% CI 51-109). The proportion of migrants with pulmonary TB was 52.4%. CONCLUSION: All migrant groups experienced an initial high TB risk, but long-term risk remained high in key migrant groups. Most European countries focus TB screening on or soon after arrival. Our study suggests that approaches to TB screening should be adapted, with migrant populations benefiting from long-term access to preventive health services.
AB - BACKGROUND: The majority of tuberculosis (TB) cases in low-incidence countries occur in migrants. Only few studies have assessed the long-term TB risk in migrants after immigration, and datasets have not considered this across a range of diverse migrant groups. This nationwide study aimed to investigate long-term TB risk among migrants according to migrant status and region of origin. METHODS: This cohort study included all migrants aged ≥ 18 years who obtained residence in Denmark from 1993 to 2015, with a mean follow-up of 10.8 years [standard deviation (SD) 7.3]. Migrants were categorized based on legal status of residence and region of origin. Incidence rates (IR) and rate ratios (IRR) were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 142 314 migrants were included. Across all migrants, the TB risk was highest during year 1 of residence (IR 275/100 000 person-years; 95% CI 249-305) followed by a gradual decline, though TB risk remained high for over a decade. Compared with the Danish-born population, the IRRs after 7-8 years were particularly higher among former asylum seekers (IRR 31; 95% CI 20-46), quota refugees (IRR 31; 95% CI 16-71), and family-reunified with refugees (IRR 22; 95% CI 12-44). Sub-Saharan African migrants also experienced elevated risk (IRR 75; 95% CI 51-109). The proportion of migrants with pulmonary TB was 52.4%. CONCLUSION: All migrant groups experienced an initial high TB risk, but long-term risk remained high in key migrant groups. Most European countries focus TB screening on or soon after arrival. Our study suggests that approaches to TB screening should be adapted, with migrant populations benefiting from long-term access to preventive health services.
KW - asylum seekers
KW - immigration
KW - long-term risk
KW - migrant
KW - refugees
KW - Tuberculosis
U2 - 10.1093/ije/dyaa063
DO - 10.1093/ije/dyaa063
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32380550
AN - SCOPUS:85089014102
VL - 49
SP - 776
EP - 785
JO - International Journal of Epidemiology
JF - International Journal of Epidemiology
SN - 0300-5771
IS - 3
ER -
ID: 247159097