C H Chan1, J Woo, K K Or, R C Chan, W Cheung. 1. Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hongkong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in presentation of young and elderly patients with tuberculosis (TB). DESIGN: Between January 1991 and December 1992 all patients with TB diagnosed at the Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, were recruited into the study. The following data were collected: body weight, coexisting medical problems, presenting symptoms, radiographic appearance, sputum results for acid-fast bacilli and peripheral blood biochemistry. The patients were divided into young ( < 65 years) and elderly ( > or = 65 years) age groups and differences in presentation of the 2 groups were analysed. RESULTS: There were 78 young and 94 elderly patients with TB. The elderly patients had lower body weight, less haemoptysis but more non-specific complaints (25% vs 1%, P = 0.001). The chest radiographs in the elderly patients were less likely to have upper lobe infiltration (9% vs 37%, P = 0.0002) but more commonly had extensive infiltration of both lungs (17% vs 2%, P = 0.014). The only biochemical abnormality that was more common in the elderly was a low serum albumin level (64% vs 45%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with TB are more likely to present with non-specific complaints and atypical radiographic appearance. A high index of suspicion and prompt investigations in elderly patients may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment of TB.
OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in presentation of young and elderly patients with tuberculosis (TB). DESIGN: Between January 1991 and December 1992 all patients with TB diagnosed at the Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, were recruited into the study. The following data were collected: body weight, coexisting medical problems, presenting symptoms, radiographic appearance, sputum results for acid-fast bacilli and peripheral blood biochemistry. The patients were divided into young ( < 65 years) and elderly ( > or = 65 years) age groups and differences in presentation of the 2 groups were analysed. RESULTS: There were 78 young and 94 elderly patients with TB. The elderly patients had lower body weight, less haemoptysis but more non-specific complaints (25% vs 1%, P = 0.001). The chest radiographs in the elderly patients were less likely to have upper lobe infiltration (9% vs 37%, P = 0.0002) but more commonly had extensive infiltration of both lungs (17% vs 2%, P = 0.014). The only biochemical abnormality that was more common in the elderly was a low serum albumin level (64% vs 45%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with TB are more likely to present with non-specific complaints and atypical radiographic appearance. A high index of suspicion and prompt investigations in elderly patients may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment of TB.
Authors: Laurence Toutous-Trellu; Isabelle Charlet; Bernard Hirschel; C Prins; I Masouyé; Ulrich M Vischer; Jean-Paul Janssens Journal: Case Rep Dermatol Date: 2009-08-28
Authors: Jun Li; Benjamin H K Yip; Chichiu Leung; Wankyo Chung; Kin On Kwok; Emily Y Y Chan; Engkiong Yeoh; Puihong Chung Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-01-02 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Courtney Heffernan; James Barrie; Alexander Doroshenko; Mary Lou Egedahl; Catherine Paulsen; Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan; Richard Long Journal: BMJ Open Respir Res Date: 2020-05
Authors: Aula Abbara; Simon M Collin; Onn M Kon; Kevin Buell; Adam Sullivan; Jessica Barrett; Tumena Corrah; Alastair McGregor; Trevor Hansel; Laurence John; Robert N Davidson Journal: ERJ Open Res Date: 2019-11-04
Authors: Yong Soo Kwon; Su Young Chi; In Jae Oh; Kyu Sik Kim; Yu Il Kim; Sung Chul Lim; Young Chul Kim Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2013-03-05 Impact factor: 3.090