Abstract

LADO LADO, F. L. et al. Tuberculosis in elderly patients: Forms of presentation. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.3, pp.11-18. ISSN 0212-7199.

Objetive: To analyse the distribution of the forms of presentation of tuberculosis (TPF) in elderly patients.  Material and methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis attending the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Unit of the Santiago Health District were reviewed over of six years period. The classification of TPF was: pulmonary forms (P), disease confined to the lung; extrapulmonary forms (EF), disease outside the lung; mixed forms (MF), the presence of both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis; disseminated forms (DF), the pressence of two or more extrapulmonary locations; and miliary TB, which was definied by a diffuse pulmonary radiographic pattern or diagnosis was undertaken by necropsy.  Results: A total of 278 tuberculosis infected patients were observed, 156 (56.2%) were men and 122 (43.8%) women, their mean age was 75.3 years (range 65-95). The distribution of TPF was: 155 (55.8%) P forms; 66 (23.7%) EF, of which 27 (41.0%) were ganglionary location, 12 (18.2%) bone and joint, 8 (12.0%) intestinal, 6 (9.1%) peritoneal, 5 (7.6%) meningeal, and other locations 8 (12.1%); MF 47 cases (16.9%); miliary TB 7 cases (2.5%) and. DF 3 cases (1.1%). None case was observed of HIV infected patient.  Conclusions: Our findings confirm high incidence of extrapulmonary TB in elderly patients. Our experience shows a modification to the classical presentation of the disease, and thus the need for sensitivity in locating the disease. 

Keywords : Tuberculosis; Extrapulmonary; Elderly.

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