Federal Register of TB Cases as a tool for monitoring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic response activities on the TB care system

The objective of the study: to analyze the impact of response activities to the COVID-19 pandemic on the system of tuberculosis care provided to the population of the Russian Federation based on the data of the Federal Register of TB Cases (FRTBC).
Subjects and methods. Using regression analysis of data obtained from the forms of federal and sectoral statistical observation, regression equations were drawn up, and estimated indicators were determined for each month of 2020. The estimated indicators were compared with the data obtained from monthly reports downloaded from FRTBC from January to June 2020.
Results. The shortfall in the registration of all cases of tuberculosis treatment relative to estimated indicators in May-June 2020 amounted to 24.4-24.7%, including 24.8% for new cases and relapses. That is very close to the value estimated by the World Health Organisation (25%). The number of tuberculosis cases detected post mortem increased by 37.1%. The number of detected pediatric tuberculosis cases at the age of 0-14 and 15-17 years old decreased by 31.4 and 28.2%, respectively. In June 2020, there was an increase in almost all recorded indicators that was due to the intensified tuberculosis detection activities.
Conclusions. FRTBC allows performing prompt monitoring of the impact of response activities to the COVID-19 pandemic on the system of tuberculosis care provided to the population. After a period of a significant decrease in the number of registered tuberculosis patients in April and May 2020, in June, as anti-epidemic activities related to COVID-19 were slowed down, the number of registered patients tended to reach the previous level and approach their estimated values.

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