Étienne Sence, Magali Billhot, Wanda Gaspard, Jean-Noel Lorenzi, Anne-Pierre Dubourdieu, Vincent Foissaud, Christine Bernard, Marc Aletti, Caroline Doutrelon
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide. Military personnel are particularly vulnerable to TB because of the factors like deployments to endemic regions and close-quarters living. This study aims to compare the characteristics and outcomes of symptomatic TB cases between military and civilian patients treated at 2 French military hospitals, with a specific focus on diagnostic delay.
Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study included patients over 18 years old with culture-confirmed symptomatic TB treated between 2008 and 2021. Military patients (Group A) were compared to civilian patients (Group B), matched by age and sex. Data collected included demographic details, diagnostic delay, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared tests and Mann-Whitney tests, with significance set at P < .05.
Results: A total of 17 military and 38 civilian patients were included in the study. The median diagnostic delay was shorter for military patients at 49 days, compared to 64 days for civilians, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = .42). In the military group, 59% had been deployed to TB endemic regions, with 35% showing symptoms during operational missions. Clinical presentations and microbiological findings were similar between the two groups. Notably, two military patients were infected with Mycobacterium canettii, likely linked to deployments in Djibouti, where this strain is endemic. The military population showed a significant burden of physical sequelae, with 25% experiencing lasting physical impairments post-treatment.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis presentation and outcomes in military and civilian patients were generally comparable. Early diagnosis remains essential to minimize disease severity and operational impact, particularly in military settings.
期刊介绍：
Military Medicine is the official international journal of AMSUS. Articles published in the journal are peer-reviewed scientific papers, case reports, and editorials. The journal also publishes letters to the editor.
The objective of the journal is to promote awareness of federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members’ writings.
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