Epi Profile Section 6 - Mortality
TB is a preventable and curable disease; however, it remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide.[1] In 2018, the most recent year with available TB mortality data, there were 22 reported TB deaths (defined as deaths related to TB disease or treatment) among the 1,129 Texas TB cases reported that year.
Underreporting of TB at death is a concern. By state law, autopsies must be performed for all cases of accident, homicide, suicide, and undetermined death; however, all other deaths are verified by a coroner or physician. Underlying diseases, such as TB, can be missed when reported as death by natural causes. Misdiagnoses are a concern as signs and symptoms of TB can be mistaken for other conditions, such as pneumonia. The stigma of TB can also lead to persons not seeking treatment for fear of social consequences, leading to an unreported TB death.
Table 5. Recorded Deaths Among TB Cases, 2015-2018
| Cause of Death |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB Related |
37 |
31 |
23 |
22 |
| Non-TB Related |
61 |
48 |
63 |
52 |
| Unknown |
7 |
17 |
15 |
26 |
| Total Deaths |
105 |
96 |
101 |
100 |
Table 6. Recorded TB Deaths by Vital Status at Diagnosis and Treatment Initiation, Texas, 2015-2018
| Vital Status |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alive at diagnosis but died of TB before initiating TB therapy |
0 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
| Alive at diagnosis but died of TB after initiating TB therapy |
27 |
19 |
14 |
15 |
| Dead at diagnosis |
10 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
| Total TB Deaths |
37 |
31 |
23 |
22 |
TB Deaths by Age Group, 2015-2018
While TB deaths are typically seen in older adults aged 65 years and older, deaths in younger age groups aged 0-24 years, which are the most preventable, do occur.
Table 7. Number of TB Deaths and Percentage of TB Deaths Among TB Cases by Age Group, Texas, 2015-2018
|
Age |
Count |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
0-4 |
1 |
0.9% |
|
5-14 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
15-24 |
4 |
3.5% |
|
25-44 |
9 |
9.0% |
|
45-64 |
48 |
42.5% |
|
65+ |
51 |
45.1% |
1. World Health Organization (WHO), Tuberculosis, 2019.
Table of Contents | An Overview of Tuberculosis in Texas | Geographic Distribution of Tuberculosis in Texas | Affected Populations | Case Diagnosis | Recent Transmission | Mortality | Risk Factors Associated with Tuberculosis | Drug Resistant TB | Public Health Follow-Up Outcomes | Reporting Requirements | References