Se estimó el aumento o la disminución porcentual del número de casos de tuberculosis y las tasas de incidencia en los períodos 1992-1994 y 1994-2002. Del total de 11 216 casos, 9 737 (86,8 %) fueron de tuberculosis pulmonar, entre ellos 30,5 % con baciloscopia negativa. Solo se registraron 1 279 casos (13,1 %) de tuberculosis pulmonar BAAR(-) cultivo (+). Hubo 13,2 % de tuberculosis extrapulmonar. Se produjo un incremento desde 7,2 a 14,7 por 10(5) habitantes, 24,1 % en la tasa global de incidencia de tuberculosis de 1994 con respecto a 1993 y de 53 % respecto a 1992 (5,8 a 14,7 por 10(5) habitantes). Desde 1994 hasta 2002 se observó una reducción sostenida de 48,3 % (6 % por año), pero las proporciones de las categorías de casos permanecieron estables relativamente. Se observó un incremento importante del número y la tasa de casos de tuberculosis pulmonar BAAR(-) notificados en el período 1992-1994 y una disminución sostenida desde 1995 hasta 2002, muy posiblemente asociada al fortalecimiento de las medidas de control.

The percentage increase or reduction of the number of cases of tuberculosis and the incidence rates in the periods 1992-1994 and 1994-2002 were estimated. Of the total of 11 216 cases, 9 737 (86.8 %) were pulmonary tuberculosis, among them 30.5 % with negative smear. Only 1 279 cases (13.1 %) of smear-negative culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were registered. 13.2 % cases had extra pulmonary tuberculosis. There was an increase from 7.2 to 14.7 per 10(5) inhabitants that accounted for 24.1 % in the global rate of tuberculosis incidence of 1994 compared with 1993, and of 53 % in comparison with 1992 (5.8 to 14.7 per 10(5) inhabitants). A sustained reduction of 48.3 % (6 % per year) was observed from 1994 to 2002, but the proportions of the case categories were relatively stable. An important growth of the number and the rate of cases with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis reported in the period 1992-1994 and a sustained decrease between 1995 and 2002 very possibly associated with the strengthening of the control measures were noticed.