Tuberculosis in the elderly and their treatment outcome under DOTS.

ABSTRACT

Summary: A retrospective study of the profile and treatment outcome in the elderly TB patients taking DOTS was carried out in an urban TB clinic of Delhi. Out of 2118 tuberculosis patients treated between 1999-2001, a total of 238 (11.4%) patients were over 50 years of age and of these 45(2.2%) were over 65 years of age. A total of 78.6% of the 283 TB patients of all the categories included in the study had a successful outcome (cure/ completion). The overall case fatality, default and failure rates among the TB patients over 50 years were found to be 7.1%, 8.8% and 4.6%, respectively, despite directly observed treatment being given under RNTCP. The case fatality rate was significantly higher (15.6%) in the age group >65 years as compared to patients between 50-65 years (5.2%). The failure rate was significantly higher (13.3%) in the age group >65 years than among patients in the 50-65 years age-group (2.6%). This emphasizes the need for intensive motivation and stringent monitoring among tuberculosis patients over 65 years of age.