Epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of tuberculosis among elderly patients of a university hospital in Belém, Pará

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of tuberculosis in elderly patients of a university hospital in Belém, Pará.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital, where 82 records of cases of tuberculosis in elderly patients were analyzed. The data was analyzed by applying the G-test, assuming a level of α=0.05 (5%) and a value of p=0.05.

Results:

Most of the elderly patients were male (64.6%), aged 60-69 years, especially among men (64.2%). Most were new cases of tuberculosis (95.1%), with a pulmonary clinical form (75.6%), associated diseases (69.5%) and a length of stay exceeding 21 days. Fever (67.1%), dyspnea (64.6%), weight loss (61.0%), productive cough (59.8%), chest pain (51.2%) were the main signs and symptoms. Regarding treatment, there was a high percentage of adverse reactions (50%), predominantly gastrointestinal events (70.7%). Most patients were cured (59.8%), but mortality from tuberculosis was considered high (15.9%). In terms of the exposure variables and outcome, there was a statistically significant difference for the age group (p=0.017), length of stay (p=0.000) and adverse reactions (p=0.018) only.

Conclusion:

The clinical presentation and therapeutic management of tuberculosis among the elderly has characteristics peculiar to this group, making it important to strengthen strategies that facilitate early identification of suspected cases of TB among elderly persons in the community, which should take place mainly through the primary care system.