Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Elderly

NELLY AZMI

INTRODUCTION

TB

one of the world's most lethal diseases

1/3 of the world's population is infected with M. tuberculosis Elderly at risk for development of TB beside HIV/AIDS The geriatric population represents the largest reservoir of TB particularly in developed countries

26 % cases diagnosed were 65 yo

60.3% of TB cases diagnosed at death TB in the elderly may differ from in younger These differences : delay in diagnosis, clinical and radiological characteristics

turn leads to morbidity and mortality in this age group

Aim this study

Compare between the young and elderly TB patients clinical characteristics roentgenographic predisposing factors

MATERIALS AND METHODS

reviewed the records of all patients with the pulmonary TB during 6 year

95 patients were included divided into : 45 (33) 65 (40)

Statistical analysis using SPSS To determine the significance of correlations, Chi-square test was used

RESULTS

DISCUSSION
TB is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide

incidence in the elderly is increasing

unrecognized pulmonary TB specially among the elderly is greater importance, it often may lead to premature death and unrecognized transmission of infection in the community

This study

Tb in elderly
Underlying ds

Tb in young
Less fever, hemoptysis, etc

Ro : atypical

Ro: upper lobe infiltration

This study confirmed the findings of Alvarez, Rizvi, Zamarron, Chan, Khan and Leung that the elderly patients had higher number of underlying disease than young patients and had less fever, hemoptysis and more nonspecific complaints

this data confirmed the previous reports that A relatively high proportion of patients with pulmonary TB in all age groups had atypical radiological findings

In elderly tb
The usefulness of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of smear negative pulmonary TB

Elderly suspected TB with lower lung field infiltration are those who will more likely benefit from FOB, bronchial washing and biopsy to reach an early diagnosis Patients with lower lung field TB are more likely to have endobronchial TB

conclusion

TB in the elderly was associated more often with non-specific symptoms Underlying conditions are more often present in the elderly Roentgenographic appearance of TB in the elderly is more often with lower lung infiltration

A high index of suspicion must be maintained to identify the disease in the elderly in order to prevent transmission of infection to others