Abstract: Objective To understand the registration status of the elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients across the country, so as to provide a reference for prevention and control of asymptomatic tuberculosis in this population group. Methods The data on elderly tuberculosis patients with documented information in the symptom field across the country from 2021 to 2024 were retrieved from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System.Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the registration situation of the aged asymptomatic tuberculosis patients, and the case data were compared between the elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients and symptomatic tuberculosis patients. Results From 2021 to 2024, a total of 314 725 elderly tuberculosis patients nationwide were enrolled in this study, among whom 38 915 were asymptomatic elderly tuberculosis patients, accounting for 12.36%. By temporal distribution, the number of elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients registered was the highest in August (n=3 937; 10.12%) and the lowest in February (n=2 292; 5.89%). In terms of population distribution, males (n=27 456; 70.55%), population at the 65-69 age group (n=13 962; 35.88%) and farmers (n=26 831; 68.95%) were dominant in the elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients registered.The number of elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients among retirees (16.58%) and those who moved from other provinces (20.49%) accounted for a relatively high proportion of the total number of elderly tuberculosis patients registered. By regional distribution, the number of elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis patients registered was the highest in the central regions (n=14 693; 37.76%), and the proportion of asymptomatic tuberculosis patients among elderly tuberculosis patients was the lowest in the western regions (9.96%, 13 002/130 593). In terms of case characteristics, the proportions of initial treatment, comorbidities of diabetes, mental illness and HIV/AIDS, and active detection were all higher in asymptomatic elderly tuberculosis patients than in symptomatic ones (91.91% vs. 89.54%; 13.90% vs. 10.35%, 0.20% vs. 0.11%, 0.56% vs. 0.46%; 7.00% vs. 2.80%, respectively). Additionally, the active detection rate of elderly patients with asymptomatic tuberculosis accounted for a relatively high percentage (26.07%) among the total registered elderly tuberculosis patients. Conclusion The differences exist in the registration proportions of elderly asymptomatic tuberculosis in China across different populations, regions, and case characteristics. In the future, effective measures should be taken to strengthen the active detection of the aged patients with asymptomatic tuberculosis. 

Key words: Tuberculosis, Asymptomatic tuberculosis, The elderly, Epidemiological characteristics