Epidemiology of urogenital tuberculosis worldwide.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the epidemiology of urogenital tuberculosis worldwide and to compare the features of patients from developing countries to those from developed countries.


METHODS
A comprehensive search of articles published up to April 2008 using a combination of the terms 'tuberculosis', 'genitourinary', 'renal' and 'urogenital' was performed.


RESULTS
Urogenital tuberculosis affects more men than women (2:1), with a mean age of 40.7 years (range 5-90). In 26.9% of cases there is a non-functioning unilateral kidney and in 7.4%, renal failure. Patients from developing countries are more likely to have a delayed diagnosis with a higher frequency of renal failure, unilateral non-functioning kidney, ablative surgery and contracted bladder.


CONCLUSIONS
Urogenital tuberculosis is a worldwide disease with more destructive behavior in developing countries where urgent strategies for early detection are particularly warranted.
Figueiredo
Andre Avarese
AA
Division of Urology, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil. andreavaresef@gmail.com
Lucon
Antonio Marmo
AM
Junior
Renato Falci
RF
Srougi
Miguel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014401:Tuberculosis, Urogenital / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult