Trends and clinical outcomes of registered TB cases 1999-2011 : is there a significant change in extrapulmonary pattern ?

Abstract EN

Objective: To evaluate the patterns, clinical trend and outcome of registered TB cases from 1999 through 2011.

Design: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Setting: Tuberculosis Unit, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Method: Six-hundred and eighty registered TB records were reviewed.

Definitions, diagnostic criteria and treatment regimen of the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) were used.

Result: Six-hundred and eighty registered TB records were reviewed.

Four hundred three (59.3%) were pulmonary TB and 277 (40.7%) were extrapulmonary TB.

In the period from 1999 to 2002, the pulmonary to extrapulmonary ratio was 4:1.

However, in the subsequent years, this ratio has changed to 1:1.

During the study period, no significant difference in sex was found; the annual defaulter rate and average cure rate were 12% and 75%, respectively.

The best indicator of cure was weight gain.

Overall, the mortality rate was approximately 18% (<10 years and >60 years).

TB of the Central Nervous System (TB-CNS) showed the highest mortality rate, 211 (31%).

Conclusion: Cure rate is comparable to worldwide figures.

Trends towards more TB extrapulmonary cases were observed.

The highest mortality rate was reported among TB-CNS.

Prospective randomized controlled study is recommended to evaluate the reasons behind the change