Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis is on the rise globally. Northern Ireland is facing the enormous task to identify, diagnose and treat tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis treatment can be tedious and the side effects can hamper management and outcome.
Objectives: To note the prevalence among local and immigrant patients, ascertain the HIV status and concordance and tolerance of ant-tuberculosis drugs.
Methods: A retrospective clinical notes review, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory record analysis.
Results: In total 92 patients, half were originally from Northern Ireland [Table]; 61% male and 39% female. The mean age was 50 (± 21) years with a bimodal age distribution between immigrants (36±11 years) and local patients (66.5±15.5 years).
The majority (67%) had pulmonary and 20.5% had lymph node involvement. Rest had skin, bone, peritoneum, and psoas abscess disease. Culture positive were 76% and smear positive 45%. The majority (79%) were fully and 4% were partially sensitive to the treatment. One patient was multi-drug resistant. Four percent had HIV. The commonest side effect was minor GI upset (7%). Hepatitis and arthralgia occurred in 5.5%, minor skin reactions in 3%, and renal impairment, peripheral neuropathy, febrile reaction and retrobulbar neuritis in 2% each. Seven percent of patients received directly observed therapy.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis is increasingly prevalent among the local population. Only 4% were HIV positive. Good drug compliance was observed in two third of patients. Treatment was modified in 24%, no treatment was stopped.
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