Abstract:
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases among elderly patients in Wuhan.
Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Sputum samples were collected for Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolation, and drug susceptibility testing was performed using the proportion method. The epidemiological characteristics of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the direct economic burden of the patients were analyzed.
Results A total of 972 elderly patients with positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis tests were included. The overall tuberculosis drug resistance rate was 21.19% (206/972). Male, rural residence, lower education level (primary school or below) and retreatment history significantly increased the risk of developing drug-resistant tuberculosis (P < 0.05). The direct economic burden for elderly patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis was 24, 101.52 (8, 283.98, 39, 598.89) RMB, and the indirect economic burden was 1, 858.64 (528.66, 3, 085.26) RMB.
Conclusion The incidence of drug resistance in elderly tuberculosis is high, and male, rural residence, low education level and tuberculosis retreatment are the risk factors for drug resistance in elderly tuberculosis, and their economic burden is heavy after drug resistance.