Clinico- Social profiles and probable indicators of skeletal tuberculosis in Karimnagar district, Telangana

Abstract

Back ground: Skeletal tuberculosis could lead to disabling and painful states of bones and joints affecting the quality of life. Objective: To study the clinico-social profiles of Skeletal Tuberculosis (SKTb) in Karimnagar district of Telangana state Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out using purposive sampling. Three doctors collected the data from 100 patients suffering from SKTb using a pretested questionnaire on the social variables, clinical presentations and probable indicators and analyzed. Group talks were conducted with patients for imparting necessary heath knowledge regarding prevention of further complications. Results: Overall prevalence of SKTb was about 33%. SKTb was more seen among males (58%). Tuberculosis of Spine was the leading bone disease (52%) followed by that of knee (22%) and hip (16%). Mean age affected was 45-65 years (39%).SKTb affected largely lower and middle class people (90%), less educated people (92%) non-executives (92%) Majority of patients (62%) were tuberculin positive .One third of patients (33%) had past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Thirty percent of patients gave family history of tuberculosis. Conclusion: SKTb was found to be related with the past history of pulmonary tuberculosis, family history, and tuberculin positivity. Intensifying health education about these probable indicators is worth trying among the patients' families and people at risk to prevent SKTb.

Keywords

• skeletal tuberculosis
• clinico- social profiles
• karimnagar district