Epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients in Delhi, India: A retrospective data analysis from the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) center

Priyanka Sharma; Madhur Verma; Meenakshi Bhilwar; Himanshu Shekhar; Neelam Roy; Anita Verma; Geeta Pardeshi

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_409_19

Epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients in Delhi, India: A retrospective data analysis from the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) center

J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Oct 31;8(10):3388-3392. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_409_19. eCollection 2019 Oct.

Authors

Priyanka Sharma¹, Madhur Verma², Meenakshi Bhilwar¹, Himanshu Shekhar¹, Neelam Roy¹, Anita Verma¹, Geeta Pardeshi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
² Department of Community Medicine/Family Medicine, AIIMS, Bathinda, Punjab, India.

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has been a public health menace for decades. India harbors its highest burden globally. The present study was conducted to study the epidemiological profile of patients taking treatment from a directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) center in Delhi, India.

Method: Retrospective analysis of past 1-year treatment records of a total of 227 patients undergoing treatment in DOTS since June 2014-2015 was undertaken. Socio-demographic information, data related to disease status, and HIV testing were collected and analyzed.

Results: The majority of cases were new (77.1%) and pulmonary TB (69.2%). The highest disease burden was found in the 20-60 year age group (72.2%) and males (58.6%). Genitourinary TB was present only among females. None of the patients was HIV positive. A significant association was found between the age group of 20-60 years and relapse and loss to follow-up cases (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: A higher proportion of adult males aged 20-60 years constituted the majority of patients treated in the DOTS center. Focussed interventions can be designed for this age group in future public health policies to reduce disease burden in the total population. Further research is required to be undertaken in exploring reasons for higher prevalence among males and productive age group and role of age, gender in disease causation.

Keywords: Directly observed treatment short-course; occupational profile; revised national tuberculosis control program; tuberculosis.