Influence of age, IGRA results, and inflammatory markers on mortality in hospitalized tuberculosis patients

Abstract

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death globally. Identifying the factors associated with mortality during hospitalization for TB is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors, including T-SPOT.TB test results and routine laboratory markers of inflammation, associated with death during hospitalization due to TB. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 244 hospitalized TB patients. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, T-SPOT.TB results, and laboratory parameters were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. ResultsAmong the patients, 206 survived and 38 died during hospitalization. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15, p = 0.001), a negative T-SPOT.TB test result (HR: 4.01, 95% CI: 1.78–9.01, p < 0.001), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.08, p = 0.007), and increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07, p = 0.025) were independent risk factors for mortality. ConclusionsThis study identified age, a negative T-SPOT.TB result, elevated CRP levels, and a high NLR as significant independent risk factors for death in hospitalized TB patients. These findings underscore the importance of these parameters in the risk stratification and management of hospitalized TB patients. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind these associations and to validate these results in different populations.