Abstract

Objective: In Turkey, patients with tuberculosis are treated and followed by Tuberculosis Dispensaries by free directly observed method. In the study, the demography, microbiology, disease localization, drug resistance, success of treatment in tuberculosis in Aydın city were assessed.

Methods: In Turkey, patients with tuberculosis are treated and followed by Tuberculosis Dispensaries by free directly observed method. In the study, the disease characteristics and success of treatment in tuberculosis patients in Aydın city were assessed.

Results: 1.023 men and 490 women, totally 1.513 patients were included. The diagnosis was pulmonary tuberculosis in 1.126 (74.4%), extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in 387 (25.5%). In extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; lympadenitis was most frequent (44.1%), where the second was pleural tuberculosis (41.6%). Tuberculosis was diagnosed in women on earlier ages, where on middle and advanced ages in men (p=0.0001). The higher frequency of smear negativity was found in ages lower 18 years old (p=0.0001). The frequency of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher and cure with treatment was significantly lower in women (p=0.0001). Higher frequency of drug resistance and cure were shown in pulmonary tuberculosis (p=0.0001). Drug resistance was frequent in men, 18-65 years old and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Conclusion: Treatment success in patients followed by Tuberculosis Dispensaries were 87.5%. Tuberculosis is diagnosed at earlier ages in women, at middle and advanced ages in men. The higher microscopic negativity frequency is in ages lower than 18. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is frequent in women and cure after treatment is lower. Directly observed therapy in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is practical and effective treatment method in our country.