Characteristics of tuberculosis in older patients

Objectives Older have increased susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB). The aim of our study was to determine the characteristics of TB in the older as compared to the non-older population. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients treated for TB between 2010 and 2015 in the North and West regions of Cameroon. Sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical data of older patients (aged ≥65) with TB were compared to those of non-older patients (15–64 years). Results Overall, 19,681 patients were treated for TB during the study period, of whom 1131 (5.7%) were older. In the older group, the median age was 70 years [interquartile range 63–77] and 723 (64%) were male. The older group was more likely to have sputum-negative pulmonary TB (SNPTB) (12.7% vs. 10.4, P = 0.034), extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) (14.9% vs. 11.3%, P < 0.001), less TB lymphadenitis (5.4 vs. 21.6%, P = 0.004), and less human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (9.3% vs. 30.3%, P < 0.001) than the non-older group. Conclusion Older patients with TB in the North and West regions of Cameroon have a higher tendency to SNPTB and EPTB presentations. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion to reduce diagnostic delays in older patients with TB.