Characteristics analysis of delayed hospital visits in elderly tuberculosis patients in Anji County， Zhejiang Province

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterize delayed visits of elderly patients with tuberculosis aged ≥60 years in Anji County， Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2021， and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in elderly population.MethodsData of elderly patients with tuberculosis in Anji County from 2010 to 2021 were collected through the Tuberculosis Management Information System of National Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the influencing factors of delayed visits.ResultsA total of 1 191 cases of elderly tuberculosis were reported in Anji County from 2010 to 2021， with an average annual incidence of 112.43/105， showing a decreasing trend （χ2trend=11.297， P=0.001）. The male-to-female ratio was 2.29∶1， the active detection rate was 0.34%， and the pathogen-positive rate was 50.63%. There were 718 cases of delayed hospital visits， with a median delay time of 19 days and a delayed visit rate of 60.29%， showing an increasing trend （χ2trend=6.651， P=0.01）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that local household registration status was a risk factor affecting the delayed visits for elderly tuberculosis patients （OR=1.944， 95%CI：1.388‒2.729）.ConclusionThe elderly patients with tuberculosis are a key population for tuberculosis prevention and control. It is necessary to strengthen early diagnosis and treatment， improve the active detection rate， reduce delayed hospital visits， so as to lower the risk of community transmission.

Keywords

• tuberculosis
• elderly
• epidemiological characteristics
• delayed hospital visit