Study of Clinico-Radiological Spectrum of older Pulmonary TB Patients in Eastern Part of Rajasthan.

Background:Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease in developing countries. About 2 billion persons are affected by TB that equals to around one Fourth of the World’s population, India leads the group & elderly patients suffer the most.Material and Methods:We included 100 elderly pulmonary TB patients in this study which was conducted in Department of Respiratory Medicine at RBM Hospital in Govt. Medical College, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The duration of study was over a period of one year from December 2020 to December 2021.Results:In this study we included total 100 cases. Among all 71% male & 29% were female. We included elderly cases in this study as they have lots of complications & comorbidity, age ranged from 61-90 age groups. Predominantly, 66% cases had cough, 31% developed fever, Shortness of breath on exertion (61%), weakness (75%), hemoptysis(17%), Loss of appetite (35%) & Chest pain (21%), altered sensorium in 4%. Chief radiological features were consolidation, cavitations, Fibrocavitary disease, silicotuberculosis& aspergilloma, apart from others. In this study, we initiated RHEZ in 48 new cases & in 19 cases categorized retreatment with RHEZ. 11 cases had to be started on alternative regimen i.e. SEQ (Sm, Ethambutol, Quinolone), due to liver problems and 8 cases were started on dose modified regimen (due to renal reasons). Shorter injectable MDR regimen was started in 13 cases and Bedaquilline containing regimen was given in 1 case. Conclusion:We conclude that radiological features are very common, extensive and crucial in diagnosing & managing pulmonary TB patients especially the older age group even in absence of relevant clinical & microbiological evidence which needs to be addressed in totality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]