Catarina Reis-de-Carvalho1,2, José Monteiro3, Carlos Calhaz-Jorge4,5. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Santa Maria Hospital, North Lisbon University Center, Lisbon, Portugal. catarinareiscarvalho@gmail.com. 2. Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. catarinareiscarvalho@gmail.com. 3. Department of Pathology, Santa Maria Hospital, North Lisbon University Center, Lisbon, Portugal. 4. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Santa Maria Hospital, North Lisbon University Center, Lisbon, Portugal. 5. Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary tuberculosis is the fourth most common cause of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, although often underestimated by clinicians due to its rare and non-specific symptoms. One of the disease's complications is infertility. Although Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of tuberculosis, its impact on Portuguese female fertility is unknown. With this study, we intend to evaluate the prevalence of genital tuberculosis, its presenting symptoms, and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women followed in a Portuguese tertiary hospital. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study, performed using an electronic database and consultation of clinical files. Studied population: infertile women followed from 2000 until 2019 at the reproductive unit of a Portuguese tertiary hospital, who underwent endometrial biopsy/curettage in the context of their etiological investigation. The diagnosis of genital tuberculosis was based on histological criteria. RESULTS: Over the 19 years, 2653 endometrial specimens were analyzed. Pathological evaluation was positive for tuberculosis in 19 cases (0.72%). There was a decrease in new diagnoses throughout the observation period. CONCLUSION: Despite being one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of tuberculosis, genital TB does not appear to have a significant impact on the etiology of female infertility in Portugal. Nevertheless, it is a diagnosis to be considered in selected patients.
INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary tuberculosis is the fourth most common cause of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, although often underestimated by clinicians due to its rare and non-specific symptoms. One of the disease's complications is infertility. Although Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of tuberculosis, its impact on Portuguese female fertility is unknown. With this study, we intend to evaluate the prevalence of genital tuberculosis, its presenting symptoms, and pregnancy outcomes in infertilewomen followed in a Portuguese tertiary hospital. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study, performed using an electronic database and consultation of clinical files. Studied population: infertilewomen followed from 2000 until 2019 at the reproductive unit of a Portuguese tertiary hospital, who underwent endometrial biopsy/curettage in the context of their etiological investigation. The diagnosis of genital tuberculosis was based on histological criteria. RESULTS: Over the 19 years, 2653 endometrial specimens were analyzed. Pathological evaluation was positive for tuberculosis in 19 cases (0.72%). There was a decrease in new diagnoses throughout the observation period. CONCLUSION: Despite being one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of tuberculosis, genital TB does not appear to have a significant impact on the etiology of female infertility in Portugal. Nevertheless, it is a diagnosis to be considered in selected patients.
Authors: V Nissapatorn; I Kuppusamy; M Rohela; A Khairul Anuar; M Y Fong Journal: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health Date: 2004 Impact factor: 0.267