Clinical profile of patients with Drug resistant tuberculosis in Mumbai

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a global epidemic. Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a big blow to the National Tuberculosis Control Programme. Second line Anti TB drugs are expensive, toxic and weaker drugs than First line anti TB drugs. Aims: To study demographic and clinical profile of drug-resistant TB patients in Mumbai. Materials and Methods: Data was collected from DR-TB patients attending tertiary care hospital over one year period. Observation and Results: Of the 60 cases analyzed, DR-TB mainly affected less than 40 years age group. Females were more affected. Of the 60 cases, 42 patients had Pulmonary TB; while 18 patients had extra-pulmonary TB. Radiology helped in diagnosis and assesses the response to treatment especially in extra pulmonary TB. Conclusion: Drug Resistant Tuberculosis affects the economically productive age-group. Constitutional symptoms predominate even in drug resistant tuberculosis. Acquired drug resistance remains the main cause for drug resistant tuberculosis in India. Pulmonary drug-resistant TB cases exceed Extra-pulmonary TB cases in urban set up.