Epidemiologic survey of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Ahvaz from 2008 to 2013

Abstract

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) still remains a major problem in public health. Recent researches have shown that the prevalence of Extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) may vary according to geographic area and population. EPTB forms present with a variety of clinical characteristics. EPTB may be associated with a pulmonary localisation, which should be searched for whenever EPTB is diagnosed or suspected. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to review the epidemiological feature of EPTB in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study, medical records of all notified TB cases in TB data registry in Ahvaz Health Center over the 5-year period (2008–2013) were reviewed. Variables such as age, gender, location (urban or rural), the organs involved, the date of onset of symptoms and treatment, concomitant lung involvement, the presence of risk factors and side effect of treatment, if any, were considered. ResultsFrom a total of 1654 cases of TB, 471 cases (28%) were EPTB; of them 201 patients (47/3%) were male and 270 (57/3%) were female. The commonest sites of involvement respectively were lymph nodes (32.3%), pleura (27.2%), bone and joint (8.1%), gastrointestinal (5.7%), genitourinary system (3.6%). ConclusionThis study demonstrates that TB still present as a health problem in Ahvaz. About one third of the TB cases were EPTB. It was more common in females and in 15–40 years old cases. The common sites of involvement were lymph nodes, pleura and bone and/or joints.