Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between older and younger tuberculosis (TB) patients in Korea.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 271 younger (20–64 years old at diagnosis) and 199 older (≥65 years) TB patients who had been newly diagnosed and treated at Chonnam National University Hospital from May 2008 to August 2010.ResultsDyspnea and comorbid medical conditions were more frequent and positive TB culture rates were higher in older TB patients. In chest computed tomography (CT) scans of pulmonary TB patients, older patients were less likely to have micronodules (<7 mm in diameter), nodules (<30 mm in diameter), masses (>30 mm in diameter), and cavities compared with younger patients, but were more likely to have consolidations. Incidence of adverse drug reactions did not differ between the two groups, except for severe gastrointestinal disorders. There were no significant differences in favorable treatment outcomes between younger and older TB patients (97% vs. 94%, respectively; p = 0.251).ConclusionsOlder TB patients had more frequent dyspnea and less frequent active TB findings on chest CT. Treatment success and adverse drug reaction rates were similar in older and younger TB patients.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between older and younger tuberculosis (TB) patients in Korea
In an effort to clarify this issue, here we describe the differences between older and younger TB patients concerning their presenting symptoms, diagnostic findings, especially focused on chest computed tomography (CT) findings, treatment outcomes, and adverse drug reactions
Study population We enrolled all adult patients aged >20 years who were treated for newly diagnosed active TB at the Chonnam National University Hospital between May 2008 and August 2010
Summary
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between older and younger tuberculosis (TB) patients in Korea. The increase in the number of elderly people due to improved life expectancy presents special challenges to the control of tuberculosis (TB) in South Korea. In this country, the notification rate of active TB remains as high as 98.4 per 100,000 general population and 266.0 per 100,000 in adults aged ≥65 years [1]. It has been suggested that TB presentation in older patients may differ from that in younger patients and should be classified as a separate entity [2,3] These individuals have more comorbidity, increasing the risk of active TB and altering its presenting symptoms [4].
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