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

Authors :: Nowinski A
Augustynowicz-Kopeć E
Garnczarek J
Halicka A
Koszela M
Litwiniuk W
Maj D
Mazur I
Niestrój-Ostrowska J
Podlasin R
Regulska A
Wielopolska M
Wyrwiński J
Wesołowski S
Korzeniewska-Koseła M
Source :: IJTLD open [IJTLD Open] 2025 Jan 01; Vol. 2 (1), pp. 6-12. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jan 01 (Print Publication: 2025).
Publication Year :: 2025
Abstract: 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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /> (© 2025 The Authors.)