Manifestations of tuberculosis in elderly versus young hospitalised patients in Amritsar, India.
METHODS
Published literature on the clinical characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) among elderly patients in India is scarce, as the problem of geriatric TB has not received the attention it deserves.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the manifestations of TB among elderly and young patients.


METHODS
Medical records of elderly and young TB patients were extracted and compared.


RESULTS
Elderly patients had less frequent respiratory and constitutional symptoms, but a higher prevalence of comorbidities. The median duration of symptoms was also longer in the elderly. Both groups were similar  on physical examination, except that the elderly had a higher frequency of development of jaundice following anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. Human immunodeficiency virus positivity was only present among the younger group. Both groups had significant proportions of alcoholics and drug abusers,  but lesser percentage of smokers. Total admission analysis showed a male preponderance.


CONCLUSIONS
The presentation of TB in elderly patients differs from that of younger patients in symptomatology. A high index of suspicion is therefore required to make a timely diagnosis of TB in the  elderly.
Department of Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India. chest_bharatbhushan@yahoo.com
B
B
Bhushan
N C
NC
Kajal
A
A
Maske
S P
SP
Singh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult