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Choi, Jeung, Kang, Kim, Kim, Heo, and Kim: Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis in North Korean Refugees
Original Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006; 60(3): 285-289.

Published online: 31 March 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.60.3.285

Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis in North Korean Refugees

Chang-Min Choi, M.D.1, Woo-Kyoung Jeung, M.D.2, Cheol-In Kang, M.D.1, Doh-Hyung Kim, M.D.1, Young-Keun Kim, M.D.3, Sang-Taek Heo, M.D.4, Hee-Jin Kim, M.D.5

1Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Korea.

2Department of Radiology, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Korea.

3Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.

4Division of Infectious Diseases, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea.

5The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Hee-Jin Kim, M.D., The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis 14 WooMyeonDong Seochogu, Seoul 137-140, Republic of Korea. Phone: (822) 575-1547, Fax: (822) 573-1914, hatchingbird@yahoo.co.kr

Received 17 January 2006       Accepted 2 March 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Background

North Korea's economic and public health problems began in the early 1990s as a result of the gradual loss of economic support from its communist allies, combined with an inordinate number of natural disasters. The decline in public health has increased the incidence of tuberculosis in North Koreans and refugees. This study investigated tuberculosis situation in North Korean refugees in order to prepare for the future impact of tuberculosis control in Korea.

Material and Methods

From 2001 to 2005, tuberculosis patients among North Korean refugees who were diagnosed before or after arriving in South Korea, based on the official records of OO hospital, were enrolled in this study. The demographic and clinical data of the cases were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

A total of 42 TB cases were reviewed during the study period. Of these, 37 (88.1%) cases were pulmonary TB. based on the cases identified among the number of North Korean refugees' arriving each year, the annual incidence of pulmonary TB were 900 per 100,000 in 2004, 700 in 2003, The number of smear-positive patients was 20 (47.6%) and the number of culture-positive patients was 18 (42.9%). Of the M. tuberculosis isolates, 2 cases were found to be susceptible to all anti-TB drugs available, 4 were resistant to isoniazid, and 3 were multi-drug resistant.

Conclusion

The prevalence of pulmonary TB in North Korean Refugees is high. In addition, North Korean refugees suffer from more severe tuberculosis in bacteriological and radiological aspects.

Keywords: North Korean refugees, Tuberculosis, Multi-drug resistant

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Demographic features of the patients.
trd-60-285-i001
Table 2
Clinical features of the patients.
trd-60-285-i002
Table 3
The results of the drug susceptibility test in the patients
trd-60-285-i003

*Abbreviation. INH; isoniazid, RMP; Rifampicin, EMB; ethambutol.

References

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