CLINICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN KUZBASS

Abstract. Introduction. The incidence of tuberculosis among children and adolescents in the Russian Federation is decreasing annually, but epidemiological indicators are higher in the Siberian Federal District. Aim. The aim of the study is to study trends in the clinical characteristics of tuberculosis among children and adolescents in the Kemerovo region – Kuzbass in modern conditions. Material and methods. A retrospective continuous study of all cases of tuberculosis in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years, detected in the Kemerovo region – Kuzbass in different time periods: the beginning of 2008–2011 (n=634) – the 1st group, and later in 2018–2021 (n=250) – the 2nd group. Results and discussion. The data of our study show that against the background of a significant decrease in the incidence of children and adolescents in Kuzbass, the age of children with tuberculosis has changed due to a decrease in the proportion of cases aged 4–7 years from 34,5% to 18,4% and an increase in the proportion of children with tuberculosis. Patients aged 13–17 years from 24,9% to 40,0%. Among tuberculosis cases in 2018–2021, in comparison with the earlier period, an increase in the number of non-vaccinated BCG was revealed (p=0,001, OR=7,963), tuberculosis was detected more often in urban residents (p=0,001, OR=4,290), the share of disseminated tuberculosis in the structure of clinical forms increased (p=0,001, OR=39,984) and combined tuberculosis and HIV infection (p=0,001, OR=14,602), the proportion of children and adolescents receiving treatment for drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (p =0,001, OR=16,084). Conclusion. The incidence of tuberculosis among children and adolescents in Kuzbass has decreased significantly in recent years. At the same time, the age of sick children and adolescents is increasing, the proportion of patients with combined tuberculosis and HIV infection is increasing, as well as people receiving chemotherapy treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis.