The determinants and impact of diagnostic delay in lymphoma in a TB and HIV endemic setting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the pathway to diagnosis of lymphoma in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the increased risk of lymphoma in people living with HIV (PLHIV). The challenges of diagnosis in this setting include diagnostic confusion with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), which commonly causes lymphadenopathy in PLHIV.

Methods

We analysed the time to diagnosis and treatment in patients using predetermined time intervals. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the relationship between patient and disease-specific variables with delays to diagnosis. We were particularly interested in the impact of HIV, empiric tuberculosis therapy and fine-needle aspirate for cytology (FNAC) in contributing to delay.

Results

Patients (n = 163), 29% HIV

SUBMITTER: Antel K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6485177 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature