Abstract
The incidence of tuberculosis is disproportionately high in our elderly population. This group appears to be at high risk because many were infected early in life. Additional factors contributing to increased risk in the elderly probably include low clinical suspicion for tuberculosis in this age group, unusual or nonspecific clinical and roentgenographic presentations, difficulties in interpreting the tuberculin skin test, and the presence of associated illnesses that may lead to delay in diagnosis. Failure to diagnose tuberculosis in this population has important public health implications, particularly in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Tuberculosis is usually easily diagnosed when suspected in elderly patients, and effective therapy is available for prevention and treatment of this disease. The special needs of old patients must be considered when these regimens are applied. Increased awareness of tuberculosis in the elderly is important for the success of strategies that have been developed to eliminate tuberculosis from the United States. As our population continues to age, physicians who treat the elderly must be vigilant in suspecting tuberculosis as a cause of illness in these patients.
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