EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ, 2022–2024

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease considered an important public health problem. This study aimed to describe TB cases reported in the state of Paraná. A descriptive study based on notifications recorded in the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2022 and 2024. Data tabulation and analysis were performed using SPSS® version 29.0, applying simple and relative frequencies and Pearson’s chi-square test. Sociodemographic variables, clinical form, mode of entry, associated conditions, and cure outcomes were analyzed. CAAE 38855820.6.0000.5231. A total of 10,804 TB cases were reported, of which 51.2% occurred in the Eastern macro-region. Health regions with the highest concentration were the 2nd Health Region of Curitiba (34.5%), the 17th Health Region of Londrina (12.9%), the 15th Health Region of Maringá (6.6%), and the 3rd Health Region of Ponta Grossa (5.5%). Most patients lived in urban areas (89.5%) and were male (71.4%). Adults aged 19–59 years accounted for 77.8% of cases (mean age: 41.8 years), followed by older adults aged 60–79 years (15.3%). Approximately 42.8% had up to nine years of schooling. The pulmonary form predominated (82.2%), followed by extrapulmonary forms (13.5%), mainly pleural (5.8%) and miliary (2.3%). New cases predominated (73.8%). Among special populations, incarcerated individuals (8.6%) and people experiencing homelessness (7.9%) stood out. Associated conditions included smoking (35.4%), alcoholism (25.6%), illicit drug use (21.9%), AIDS (13.0%), diabetes mellitus (8.0%), and mental disorders (3.6%). The cure rate was 32.2% and was associated with directly observed treatment (DOT) (p<0.001). The data indicate that pulmonary tuberculosis was concentrated among adult men living in urban areas, with low educational attainment and high frequency of associated conditions such as smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, AIDS, and diabetes. DOT was associated with higher cure rates. Intensification of active case finding in primary healthcare units, integration of harm reduction and mental health policies, and improvement in data quality are recommended to enhance disease control among vulnerable groups.