Tuberculose latente em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal em uso de antagonistas do fator de necrose tumoral em um hospital terciário da Paraíba.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is represented by two main conditions: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Its etiology remains uncertain, involving the interaction of genetic, immunological and environmental factors and being related to the dysregulation of the immune response against the intestinal microbiota. Treatment of IBD includes immunobiologics, such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF). It is known that treatment with anti-TNF leads to a decrease in the patient's immunity, which may allow latent diseases to become active, as in the case of tuberculosis. Therefore, before starting anti-TNF therapy, screening tests are recommended, with the aim of identifying cases of latent tuberculosis. Thus, patients can be treated before their immunity is diminished and they develop more severe conditions. Objective: to assess the prevalence of ILTB and the number of cases of active TB in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with anti-TNF agents. Methods: cross-sectional and retrospective study of cases treated at the digestive system unit of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley - UFPB.