Pneumologie
Volume 72, Issue 9, 2018, Pages 644-659

Migration and Tuberculosis [Migration und Tuberkulose] (Article)

Othmer J.T.* , Schönfeld N. , Häcker B. , Otto-Knapp R. , Bauer T.T.
  • a Klinik für Pneumologie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstrae 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany
  • b Klinik für Pneumologie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstrae 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany
  • c Klinik für Pneumologie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstrae 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany
  • d Klinik für Pneumologie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstrae 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany
  • e Klinik für Pneumologie, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstrae 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany

Abstract

The majority of the people suffering from tuberculosis in Germany are migrants. The treatment of this demographic still presents certain challenges. Only up to a quarter to a fifth of tuberculosis cases in migrants is being diagnosed by the screening methods that were implemented by The German Protection against Infection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, IfSG). Reactivation of latent tuberculosis is the most common cause for tuberculosis in migrants. Easy access to health care is vital for the testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis in people with a high risk of reactivation. The level of infection risk, comorbidities and presentation of disease vary depending on the country of origin. Especially during migration people are more susceptible to somatic and mental maladies. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is frequent in migrants and requires specific diagnostic approaches. Where risk factors for a multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis are present, this condition has to be actively excluded. To facilitate diagnosis and therapy of tuberculosis in migrants a high level of trust has to be established in the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore and despite of cultural and linguistic differences empathy and time are key. Patients need to be encouraged to complete their treatment rather than terminate it prematurely. To that end comorbidities have also to be diagnosed and treated, social and legal aspects have to be considered. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart New York.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population Physician-Patient Relations Germany mass screening human statistics and numerical data health service multidrug resistant tuberculosis priority journal Mycobacterium tuberculosis Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant procedures Health Services Needs and Demand Humans migrant Emigrants and Immigrants latent tuberculosis tuberculosis isolation and purification Article doctor patient relationship migration Transients and Migrants Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85052739649&doi=10.1055%2fs-0043-118435&partnerID=40&md5=4d541d0de255ef10086390dc5b818737
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-118435
ISSN: 09348387
Original Language: German