Clinicopathological Profile Analysis of Patients with Abdominal Tuberculosis in Bangladesh: A Single Center Study

Abstract

Background: To analyze the clinicopathological profile of abdominal tuberculosis patients among 73 patients in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological profileof abdominal tuberculosis patients. Methods: It was crosssectional obsevetional study, executed in the Department of Gastroenterology Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in collaboration with National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, NIDCH, Mohakhali, Dhaka from May 2015 to April 2016.  Seventy-three cases of abdominal tuberculosis were studied, which were operatedonand diagnosed. Data collection included detailed history, particularly age distribution, site of abdominal tuberculosis involvement, and distribution of histopathology. Results: Mean age of the study subject was 33.90 ± 15.14 years (range 18-70 years). The majority of the patients (53.2%) were between 18-30 years age group, followed by 18.8% between 31-40 years age group.Based upon predominant clinical features and investigations, the site of abdominal TB involvement was intestinal in 50(68.8%), peritoneal in 18(25%), and nodal in 5(6.2%) patients. Histopathology was performed in 60(81.25%) patients and showed granulomatous inflammation consistent with TB in 27/60(46.2%) specimens. Among them non-caseating, granuloma was found in 20(75%) specimens, caseating granuloma in 7(25%) specimens and TB bacilli (AFB) was not found in any (0.0%) specimen. Conclusion: Young age at presentation, delayed presentation, poverty, and high morbidity and mortality are among the hallmarks of the disease in this region. These challenges need to be addressed to deliver optimal care for these patients. Early diagnosis, early anti-tuberculous therapy, and surgical treatment of the associated complications are essential for survival.