Epidemiological pattern of Osteoarticular Tuberculosis in a Teaching hospital of Rural India: A prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of death from infectious disease world-wide. In India every year almost twelve lakh patients are notified as having newly diagnosed TB and the percentage of notified cases is only about 58%. This study evaluates the epidemiologic parameters of osteoarticular tuberculosis in a teaching hospital of north India primarily catering to rural population. Materials and Methods : All cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis diagnosed in our hospital between January 2014 to March 2016 were analysed for various epidemiologic parameters like age, sex, anatomical site, delay in presentation and associated pulmonary TB. Results: The spine was the most commonly affected anatomical site (50.77%) followed by hip seen in thirty-seven patients (19.17%). Males were affected more commonly than females. Eighty-seven percent of patients belonged to low socioeconomic strata. Cocnclusion: This study depicts the high prevalence of musculoskeletal tuberculosis in rural population. A high index of clinical suspicion coupled with radiologic examination is necessary to diagnose and treat bone and joint TB. Delayed diagnosis and treatment is associated with complications and poor outcome.