title: Tuberculosis and gender in a priority city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare gender differences among tuberculosis patients in a city with a high incidence of tuberculosis. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study involving 560 tuberculosis patients (373 males and 187 females). Sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as data related to diagnostic criteria and treatment outcome, were collected (from the questionnaires and medical records) and subsequently compared between the genders. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 90 days. There were no differences between the genders regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, previous noncompliance with treatment, time from symptom onset, number of medical appointments prior to diagnosis, or treatment outcome. Gender-specific approaches are not a priority in Brazil. However, regardless of patient gender, the delay in diagnosis is a major concern.
authors.affiliation: Gama Filho University and Souza Marques Techno-Educational Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. mtbelo@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Márcia Teresa Carreira Teixeira
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Belo
authors.forename: Ronir Ragio
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Luiz
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selig
authors.forename: Eleny Guimarães
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chalfoun
authors.forename: Anete
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trajman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology