Initial Presentations Predict Mortality in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients - A Prospective Observational Study

2011

Initial Presentations Predict Mortality in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Sample size: 992 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Feng Jia-Yih, Su Wei-Juin, Chiu Yu-Chi, Huang Shiang-Fen, Lin Yung-Yang, Huang Ruay-Ming, Lin Ching-Hsiung, Hwang Jhi-Jhu, Lee Jen-Jyh, Yu Ming-Chih, Yu Kwok-Woon, Lee Yu-Chin

Primary Institution: Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Hypothesis

Can initial clinical presentations predict mortality in pulmonary tuberculosis patients?

Conclusion

Clinical presentations such as fever, anorexia, and the absence of chronic cough are independent predictors of mortality in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Supporting Evidence

Older age was associated with higher mortality (RR=1.04).
Malignancy increased mortality risk (RR=2.42).
Renal insufficiency was linked to higher mortality (RR=1.77).
Presence of fever was associated with increased mortality (HR=1.72).
Absence of chronic cough was linked to higher mortality (HR=0.54).

Takeaway

This study found that if a tuberculosis patient has a fever or doesn't have a chronic cough, they might be at a higher risk of dying from the disease.

Methodology

This was a prospective observational study that enrolled newly diagnosed, culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis patients from six hospitals in Taiwan.