Clinical profile of patients admitted to a specialized tuberculosis unit (UNET) in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Background: Hospital management of complex tuberculosis (TB) cases in Peru is carried out in specialized tuberculosis units (UNET). Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients at the UNET of the María Auxiliadora Hospital (HMA) in Lima.
Methods: The clinical records of hospital discharges of TB cases admitted in 2015 at the UNET-HMA were reviewed. Factors associated with death were evaluated.
Results: 111 hospital discharges of patients with TB were evaluated. 69.4% were male, the median age was 38 years, 62.2% had TB of exclusively pulmonary location, and 80.2% were admitted to the hospital by emergency. At the time of admission to the hospital, 46.9% had acute respiratory failure, 39.6% did not receive anti-tuberculosis treatment, 50.5% did not have a sensitivity test, 63.6% of those who had a test for sensitivity had some kind of resistance. HIV infection, drug addiction and diabetes mellitus were the main comorbidities with 23.4%, 19.8% and 18.0%, respectively. 80.2% were discharged as improved and 17.1% died at the UNET. Factors associated with death were the presence of respiratory failure on admission (OR 5.77 / CI 1.38 - 24.04; p = 0.016) and in-hospital pneumonia (OR 38.7 CI 2.99 - 50.47; p = 0.005).
Conclusion: The clinical profile of the patients admitted to the UNET-HMA corresponded to severe conditions with a proportion of comorbidities and a high in-hospital mortality.