[Evolution of pulmonary tuberculosis at a specialized hospital from its beginning to the present time. General aspects].

A retrospective analysis of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted to a specialized hospital from the day it started functioning to 1986 is performed. The epidemiological and clinical aspects of 966 medical histories are reviewed. 32% of these patients had household contacts with patients suffering the same disease. We could also observe an increase with time in the percentage of diabetic and alcoholic patients. With respect to the bacteriological study we have to point out that in 86% of patients Koch Bacillus was detected. A decrease in length of hospital stay as well as a decrease in mortality up to 3% is observed. These variables are recorded at two time points: when the hospital first started and at the present time, analyzing any possible statistically significant differences.