Profile of deaths with Tuberculosis records in a reference hospital for infectious diseases in Pará

Abstract

Objective: To identify epidemiological variables in records of patients who died with tuberculosis as an underlying or contributing cause, in a state reference hospital for infectious diseases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study based on secondary data from physical records, electronic medical records, and death certificates from 2021 to 2023, in Pará, Brazil. Deaths mentioning tuberculosis in any cause were included. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression models were applied to identify factors associated with mortality. Cases later excluded by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit were not considered. Results: Most patients were male, of working age, with comorbidities such as sepsis, respiratory failure, and malnutrition. TB-HIV coinfection was found in 45.88% of cases, worsening clinical outcomes. Furthermore, 41.18% were malnourished, compromising immune response. Socially, 88.24% of deaths occurred among mixed-race individuals, reflecting racial inequalities. Treatment discontinuity and drug resistance were additional barriers to disease control. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for intersectoral public policies integrating early diagnosis, effective clinical management, social support, and expansion of the Family Health Strategy, especially in peripheral and vulnerable areas.