International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume 9, Issue 8, 2005, Pages 865-869

Chest radiography and tuberculosis case-finding in asymptomatic native and immigrant populations in Greece (Article)

Magkanas E. , Drakonaki E.E.* , Voloudaki A. , Nerantzoulakis I. , Gourtsoyiannis N.
  • a Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • b Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Stavrakia, P O Box 1325, 71110, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • c Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • d Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • e Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Abstract

SETTING: A university hospital in southern Greece. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and other clinically significant conditions in routine chest X-rays (CXRs) of asymptomatic Greeks and immigrants in Greece. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: CXRs of 4338 asymptomatic persons (56.8% Greeks, 43.2% immigrants, 18-74 years of age) were examined by two experienced chest radiologists blinded to identifying data. Abnormalities were recorded and the final radiological diagnosis was established by consensus. Results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The majority (94.7%) of the CXRs were reported as normal. Clinically significant findings were reported in four cases (0.08%). No case of active TB was depicted. The incidence of old TB was higher in the Greek-born group than among the immigrants, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of TB in the Greek-born group implies that radiographic screening in that group presents an unnecessary risk and should possibly be abandoned. Our study does not confirm noticeably higher rates of TB in immigrants in comparison to the native Greek population. However, larger prospective studies are required to confirm this finding. © 2005 The Union.

Author Keywords

Screening Immigration tuberculosis Chest radiograph

Index Keywords

prospective study immigrant mass screening Prospective Studies human middle aged controlled study priority journal Aged Humans Hospitals, University lung tuberculosis Adolescent male Tuberculosis, Pulmonary female Greece prevalence Article major clinical study adult thorax radiography Emigration and Immigration case finding Radiography, Thoracic
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-23744482112&partnerID=40&md5=61f9fd2eb8778d00212557f13f212609
ISSN: 10273719
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English