A national retrospective cohort study has examined tuberculosis cases in England that were diagnosed only after death. Using UK Health Security Agency surveillance data from 2010 to 2022, researchers identified 574 postmortem diagnoses among more than 72,000 notified TB cases — an average of about 0.84 cases per week.
The study found that the likelihood of postmortem diagnosis increased markedly with age and examined a range of social and health factors associated with delayed recognition. These findings do not mean that every death was preventable, but they highlight the serious consequences that can follow when TB is not recognised during life.
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most often affects the lungs, although other organs can be involved. Symptoms may be non-specific, particularly in older or medically complex patients, which can complicate diagnosis.
The study is most useful as evidence about diagnostic delay and groups who may be at greater risk of being missed. It should not be interpreted as support for indiscriminate screening. Decisions about testing depend on symptoms, exposure, clinical risk and current UK guidance.
