Prevalence and epidemiological profile of pulmonary tuberculosis among elderly population residing in old age homes in Salem district, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Background

Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. One of the high risk groups for tuberculosis is the elderly population due to factors like physiological ageing related changes, presence of comorbidities and immunodeficiency.

Objective

1. To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly population residing in selected old age homes.2. To assess the epidemiological profile of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly population residing in selected old age homes.

Methodology

An analytical cross sectional study was carried out among elderly inmates (N – 300) of selected 10 old age homes in Salem district of Tamilnadu. A pre tested semi-structured questionnaire was used as a study tool for data collection. Investigations like CBNAAT and X ray were carried out on individuals with presumptive symptoms.

Results

Among 300 participants, about 50.7% were between 61 and 70 Years and 60.7% were females. Nearly 4.3% were current smokers, 28.7% were hypertensive and 20.6% were diabetic About 15.6% had cough, 11.2% had fever and 4.8% had hemoptysis Prevalence of tuberculosis was 2.6% (260 per 10,000 popultion) in this study. Tuberculosis was reported more in Females, those with presumptive symptoms, underweight individuals, those living in dormitory and those with comorbidity.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the key population should be concentrated for routine screening for tuberculosis. Pro-active interventions to seek and diagnose TB disease among older adults are more effective than traditional passive case-finding as we march towards elimination of tuberculosis in India.