[Diagnostic delay in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].
Delay in pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis prolongs the period of time in which a patient is infectious, promoting tuberculosis transmission. We quantified diagnostic delay and examined delay associated factors in a regional wide case-control study set in Emilia-Romagna. A total 55 days median delay, with no significant difference between native and foreign-born patients, was observed in this study. Longer delay was observed when a general practitioner was consulted as first provider and when clinical picture was not fully manifest. This study points out the need of improving physicians' awareness of tuberculosis disease especially when they care for elderly people and foreign-born patients.
Moro
Maria Luisa
ML
Agenzia Sanitaria Regionale, Regione Emilia Romagna, Bologna. mlmoro@asr.regione.emilia-romagna.it
Resi
Davide
D
Mezzetti
Francesca
F
Borrini
Bianca Maria
BM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission