Diagnostic and treatment delay in extrapulmonary tuberculosis and association with mortality: Experiences from Mbeya, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unlike pulmonary tuberculosis, there is limited information on delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) and their consequences for disease outcomes and mortality. In low- and middle-income countries, most EPTB cases are presumed rather than microbiologically confirmed, which might lead to an underestimation of the mortality rates in EPTB.

Objective

The study aimed to assess the delays in diagnosis and treatment in EPTB and their association with mortality in a setting with a high prevalence of both HIV and malnutrition.

Method

We included 106 EPTB patients from Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, who were followed up until the completion of their treatment. Patients were classified as having EPTB using a clinical case de

SUBMITTER: Gronningen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11936283 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature