Abstract
Background and Objectives: Skeletal tuberculosis is a major debilitating disease in our community. There was an increase in the nonresident keralites with skeletal tuberculosis attending our department for treatment in the recent past. This epidemiological study is carried out to assess the increase in skeletal tuberculosis in emigrant keralites and demographic, person and illness related factors in contracting disease among the patients reaching Orthopaedics department, Government medical college, Kottayam.
Materials and Methods: 124 skeletal tuberculosis patients, through 3year period were called for a follow up and data regarding demographic, person and illness related factors affecting disease were collected. Data collected were tabulated and represented in various charts and diagrams, and analyzed.
Results: In our study, the majority of the cases were in the older age group (61 to 70) and among young individuals (21 to 30). Whereas 31 to 60 age group showed a lower rate of incidence compared to them. Educational status, occupation, monthly income and working environment seems to have predisposing role in getting skeletal tuberculosis. And the result obtained reinforces the existence of skeletal tuberculosis in crowded environments and low socioeconomic strata of community. Spine was the commonest site involved among the 124 cases. Spinal involvement was predominant in dorsal spine followed by lumbar spine and dorsolumbar spine. The involvement of disease among health personals shows the role of working environment especially hospitals as a site for exposure to tuberculosis. 18.5% of all cases are nonresident Keralites.
Conclusion: The incidence of tuberculosis remains more or less same through the three year study period. The study reinforces the acquaintance of tuberculosis with low socioeconomic status, substance abuse and to some extend the debilitating diseases. Nonresident Keralites form a significant percentage in the total burden of tuberculosis in the state.
Keywords: Skeletal tuberculosis; Epidemiology; Predisposing factors.
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.54
