Comparison of clinical characteristics of tuberculosis between two age groups at an Italian Tertiary Hospital.

Differences in clinical characteristics and outcome between elderly (>60 years) and younger (18-59 years) tuberculosis (TB) patients were retrospectively evaluated. Alcohol abuse, radiological evidence of cavitation, and cough at presentation were more frequent among younger patients. Older patients were more likely to have comorbidities, disseminated TB, longer duration of symptoms and higher TB-related mortality (19 vs 0%). Very old patients (≥80 years) showed increased liver toxicity and hospital acquired infections compared to patients aged 60-79 years.