To be or not to be hospitalised with tuberculosis in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Galego, MA (Author) Other; Santos, JV (Author) Other; Viana, J (Author) Other; Freitas A (Author) FMUP; Duarte, R (Author) Other

Journal

Title: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Vol. 23

Pages: 1029-+

ISSN: 1027-3719

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis And Lung Disease

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-5TR

DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.18.0617

Abstract (EN): SETTING: In Portugal, as in other countries, tuberculosis (TB) is considered a disease that should be managed on an ambulatory basis. However, hospitalisation remains important to manage some at-risk groups and complications. OBJECTIVE : To identify the possible risk factors associated with hospitalisations in TB patients in Portugal. DESIGN: Data extraction through two national databases (one for registration of TB cases and the other with hospitalisation information in public health facilities) between 2007 and 2013. Univariate and multivariate analysis of demographic and clinical variables was performed. RESULTS : We identified 4421 hospitalisations. Chronic diseases, cancer, substance abuse, a higher social/economic risk, extra-pulmonary TB, lung cavitary disease and previous uncompleted treatment were more frequent among hospitalised patients. Human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, cancer, alcohol abuse, extra-pulmonary TB and uncompleted previous TB treatment were the most important predictors of hospitalisation with TB. The hospitalisation rate among TB patients in Portugal was lower when compared with other countries with lower and higher incidences. CONCLUSION: Immune dysfunctions and progression of chronic diseases are associated with more severe forms of TB and frequent adverse effects which can be sufficiently severe to necessitate hospital admission. Despite having an intermediate TB incidence, the hospitalisation rate in Portugal is not higher than that of other countries.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7