Abdominal tuberculosis as seen in Farwania hospital in kuwait

ABSTRACT

Experience gained in the management of 32 cases of abdominal tuberculosis in Kuwait is summarised. They were admitted to the Farwania Hospital Medical Department. The hospital serves a population of about 439,337 [101,965 Kuwaitis and 337,272 Expatriates] as per the 1985 census record of the Ministry of Civil Information. They presented over a 4 year-period from January 1986 till January 1990. Of the 32 cases, 10 had intestinal tuberculosis, 6 mesenteric-lymphnodal [nodular] tuberculosis, and 16 peritoneal tuberculosis. Fourteen of them were Kuwaitis and 18 were classified as expatriates. An association with pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 4 cases only [12.5%].The duration of hospitalisation ranged between 1-2 weeks in 37.5% of the cases, and 2-4 weeks in 43.8% of the cases. The yearly incidence of abdominal tuberculosis was found to be higher in Kuwaitis [3.43/100000 population, p< 0.05] than in expatriates[1.33/100000 population. p< 0.05]. In spite of its being a potentially lethal disease no mortality was documented