DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF TUBERCULOSIS: A CASE SERIES OF PATIENTS FROM IN-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A HOSPITAL

Abstract

Controlling tuberculosis in India is a tremendous challenge. The disease is a major barrier to social and economic development. Based on the current scenario, the present observational prospective study was designed for 63 patients with tuberculosis admitted in in-patient department of a government general hospital in four months. Case sheets and laboratory reports of patients were collected and noted for evaluation. The study included patients who were all having active disease and absence of HIV infection. The follow-up of the patients was done every day. The case sheets of the patients revealed their age distribution, gender, body weight distribution, history of illness and previous illness, social habits, common and uncommon signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests performed, treatment therapy provided and adverse effects. Early identification of TB cases and the effective use of the first line drugs were the primary goals of the department. The common clinical features observed in the patients as well as the therapy provided by the physicians was typical and as per the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of Government of India. Non-adherence, drug resistance, extra-pulmonary disease and severe contaminant disease states were not observed.