Demographic distribution of tuberculosis cases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An observational study (2014-2021)

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious causes of death globally, primarily affecting the lungs and presenting as either active disease or latent infection. Saudi Arabia is considered a low-incidence country, with a reported TB incidence of 8.4 new cases per 100,000 population in 2023. This observational study aimed to assess local epidemiological trends by analyzing the demographic distribution of TB cases in the Riyadh region from 2014 to 2021. METHODS: Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including stratified incidence rates and multivariable regression models, were applied to surveillance data from the Riyadh regional laboratory database. RESULTS: Among 7447 confirmed cases, 4320 (58.0%) were non-Saudis, and 4977 (66.9%) occurred in males. The 25-34 age group accounted for the largest share, with 2526 cases (33.9%). After age group normalization, the distribution shifts to older populations ≥65. The ANOVA model for TB cases among Saudi nationals, considering TB type and year, showed a decreasing trend over the years (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These findings align with global trends, indicating greater vulnerability among migrant populations and the age-specific burden of TB. This study provides valuable insights into TB epidemiology in the Riyadh region that may guide policymakers in designing targeted screening and control strategies.