Pattern of Tuberculosis in El Maamora Chest Hospital, Alexanderia, Egypt, During the Period (2014-2018)

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a major health problem, tuberculosis affects most of age groups, and this necessitates more attention in the tuberculosis (TB) control program targeting those age group. This study was carried out in El Maamora's chest hospital which is considered as the biggest chest hospital in Alexandria governorates, with a higher rate of outpatient clinic and admission so this study will give us a good analysis of the pattern of tuberculosis in Alexandria. Objective: This study conducted to assess the TB pattern and to provide an insight into the type of TB infection in El Maamora's chest hospital. Subjects: A total of 1413 TB patients were included in the study. We included patients diagnosed and treated as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR). Methods: Data collected about patients included; full history taking, clinical and demographic characteristics, types of TB infection, affected organs, clinical presentations, methods of diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Results: In the studied population, it was found that, the mean age of all patients was (39.5 ± 14.7) years, with the majority (79.3%) of patients were males; while (20.7%) were females. The average time of sputum conversion of all patients was (2.3 ± 0.8) months; with (51.2%) of patients had sputum conversion to -ve (after treatment). It was found that, (92.1%) improved or cured, (2.2%) had lost follow up, (0.4%) had ICU admission, (1.5%) suffered mortality, (0.8%) refused treatment. The improvement rate was (92.1%), and the deterioration rate (ICU admission and mortality) was (1.9%). There was a highly significant increase in time of sputum conversion in extra-pulmonary TB group; compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Comparative study between the 3 groups revealed a highly significant decrease in sputum conversion after treatment, in extrapulmonary TB group; compared to other groups (p < 0.01), and a highly significant increase in improvement rate in pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB groups; compared to MDR TB group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global emergency posing a significant threat to people of all nations. Despite the advance of the DOTS program (Directly Observed Therapy Short Course), TB is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide particularly in developing countries, which have many patterns of infection as pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and MDRS.