Patterns, trends and treatment outcomes of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Sohag, Upper Egypt

Abstract

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main health issues in Egypt. Nationwide collective data on the current trends of infection are scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the patterns and trends of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases in Sohag, Upper Egypt. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving a retrospective review of all TB cases registered as extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) from 2010 to 2014, the age and sex of the patients and the categories and types of EPTB registered their treatment outcomes. Results: From 2010 to 2014, 500 patients were registered with EPTB, of whom 36.6% were male, and 85% were new EPTB cases. TB lymph node enlargement and pleural effusion were the two most common types of EPTB, accounting for 58%, followed by spinal/bone, abdominal TB and kidney disease. The overall treatment success rate was 90%, and was generally similar with respect to sex, age and different types of EPTB. Conclusions: Sohag has a high proportion of patients registered as having EPTB, for whom treatment outcomes are satisfactory. Frequency of severe forms of EPTB is more often in younger ages in lower social economical condition areas.