Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Users of Drug Dependence Care and Follow-up Centers in Barcelona in 2017-2021: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study.

INTRODUCTION

People who consume drugs have a higher risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Our objective was to study the characteristics of people who use drugs and who attended the Centers for Drug Dependence Care and Follow-up of Barcelona during 2017-2021 and presented LTBI or did not perform the reading of the tuberculin skin test (TST) after the test had been done.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive study in Centers for Drug Dependence Care and Follow-up of Barcelona was performed during 2017-2021. The sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of people who use drugs that underwent a TST was analyzed and were examined the factors associated with LTBI. Additionally, the same sociodemographic and epidemiological analyses were made in PWUD that did not perform the reading of the TST after the test had been done. Adjusted odds ratios (ORa) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Nine hundred forty-eight persons were profiled. The prevalence of LTBI was 22.9%, and the following factors were associated with it: be older than 41 years; be users of CAS Baluard, or CAS Horta-Guinardó; coming from a WHO region of high TB incidence; be homeless; and low territorial socioeconomic index. The following factors were associated with not performing the reading of the TST after the test had been done: be users from the CAS Baluard, Barceloneta, Nou Barris and Robadors; be homeless and low TSI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study improves TB control and highlights the need for this LTBI control program in CASs.