title: Epidemiological profile of hospitalized patients with TB at a referral hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the epidemiological profile of inpatients at a TB referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive, retrospective study of the medical charts of patients with TB hospitalized at the Hospital Estadual Santa Maria (HESM), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January of 2002 and December of 2003. Data were collected using a standardized form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 451 patients included in the study, 313 (69.4%) had been referred to the HESM from health care clinics, and 302 (67.0%) were male. Most of the patients were in the 30-59 year age bracket, 443 (98.2%) lived in the greater metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, and 298 (66.1%) lived in the city of Rio de Janeiro itself. The most common reason for hospitalization was poor health status (in 237, 52.5%). The most common comorbidity was AIDS (in 137, 30.4%). The most common signs and symptoms at admission were weight loss, fever and productive cough. Sputum smear microscopy was positive in 122 (71.0%) of the patients presenting with productive cough at admission. Of the 212 patients being retreated, 156 (73.6%) reported noncompliance with previous treatment. Regarding the outcome, 273 (65.8%) of the patients were referred to municipal health care centers, 83 (18.4%) died, 44 (9.8%) were cured, and 27 (6%) were discharged against medical advice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing hospitals specializing in TB is relevant for TB control, especially in metropolitan regions. In addition to taking biosafety measures, these hospitals must be prepared to treat patients with TB-related comorbidities and social problems. This study has resulted in improvements at the HESM.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Estadual Santa Maria, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde e Defesa Civil do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. hedi_oliveira@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Hedi Marinho de Melo Guedes de
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Rossana Coimbra
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: Afranio Lineu
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kritski
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruffino-Netto
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology