The impact of the war in Ukraine on the prevalence of MDR/RR-TB in Poland

The impact of the war in Ukraine on the prevalence of MDR/RR-TB in Poland

BACKGROUND: The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation triggered a refugee crisis, affecting the multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) prevalence in neighbouring countries. This study examines the epidemiological trends and characteristics of MDR/RR-TB patients in Poland, focusi...

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Main Authors: A. Nowinski, E. Augustynowicz-Kopeć, J. Garnczarek, A. Halicka, M. Koszela, W. Litwiniuk, D. Maj, I. Mazur, J. Niestrój-Ostrowska, R. Podlasin, A. Regulska, M. Wielopolska, J. Wyrwiński, S. Wesołowski, M. Korzeniewska-Koseła
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) 2025-01-01
Series:IJTLD Open
Subjects:
poland
ukraine
mdr/rr-tb
mdr tb
war
refugees
Online Access:https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/iuatld/ijtldo/2025/00000002/00000001/art00003
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Summary:BACKGROUND: The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation triggered a refugee crisis, affecting the multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) prevalence in neighbouring countries. This study examines the epidemiological trends and characteristics of MDR/RR-TB patients in Poland, focusing on the relative contribution of Ukrainian refugees. METHODS: Data from the Polish National Tuberculosis Registry and EPIC Project database, covering MDR/RR-TB cases reported between 2010 and Q1 2024, were analysed. RESULTS: The study included 794 MDR/RR-TB cases, showing a demographic shift post-2022. During the 10-year period up to 2021, a median of 48 MDR/RR-TB cases were reported annually in Poland. After 2022, these numbers doubled: 104 cases were reported in 2022 and 101 cases in 2023. Simultaneously, the number of Ukrainian MDR/RR-TB patients increased from 77 (13%) during 2010–2021 to 127 (58%) from 2022 to Q1 2024. CONCLUSION: Poland is observing an increased number of cases of MDR/RR-TB associated with the large number of displaced Ukrainian citizens who are now residing in Poland. There is a need to monitor the epidemiology of MDR/RR-TB and seek optimal screening and management strategies for TB among refugees from countries with high MDR/RR-TB incidence in Poland and Europe.
ISSN:3005-7590

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