Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Qatar: Eight-year retrospective cohort study

Introduction/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. This retrospective cohort study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological landscape of TB in Qatar over an eight-year period, from 2016 to 2023. Data were collected from the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) TB registry, encompassing individuals with confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Demographic characteristics, incidence rates, mortality trends, drug resistance patterns and associated factors were analyzed. Results: TB incidence rate in Qatar remained below the global average and WHO 2025 milestone target. Across all age groups, TB incidence showed a notable variation, with a peak among individuals aged 25-54 years. Males had higher TB incidence rates. A significant proportion of TB cases originated from high-incidence countries. Qatar demonstrated fluctuations in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases over the study period, the percentage remained below the global average, indicating effective TB control efforts. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of TB in Qatar, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate TB transmission and improve control measures in high-risk populations.