Abstract:

Objective: To analyze and summarize the characteristics of detection and treatment outcome of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients, so as to provide reference for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of PTB among elderly people. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four elderly active PTB patients treated at the Tuberculosis Control and Prevention Institute of Shijingshan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2010 to 2020 were selected as the research objects. Their data were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Among 154 elderly patients, 46.10% (71/154) were relatively young (60-69 years old), 33.12% (51/154) were middle-aged (70-79 years old), and 20.78% (32/154) were older (≥80 years old); 81.17% (125/154) of them were detected passively, and 18.83% (29/154) were detected actively. Among all clinical symptoms, the incidence of cough and expectoration (68.18%, 105/154) was the highest, followed by fatigue (20.13%, 31/154) and fever (17.53%, 27/154). A majority of patients got lesions invaded more than two lung fields (64.94%, 100/154), and the presence of cavities accounted for 48.70% (75/154), of which single cavity accounted for 40.91% (63/154), and multiple cavities accounted for 7.79% (12/154). The etiologically positive rate before treatment was 67.97% (104/153). The sputum negative conversion rate of them in three age groups at the end of the treatment course were 95.12% (39/41), 83.33% (30/36) and 70.37% (19/27), respectively, with statistically significant difference (χ²=7.731, P=0.021). The successful treatment rate of 154 patients was 86.36% (133/154). There was a statistically significant difference among the three age groups (95.77% (68/71), 84.31% (43/51), 68.75% (22/32), χ²=13.951, P=0.001). Conclusion: The elderly PTB patients were mainly detected passively. Their imaging manifestations were complex, the etiologically positive rate was high, and the treatment prognosis was not ideal. We should strengthen the active detection of elderly PTB patients, especially by performing regular health examination, and reduce the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Aged, Treatment outcome