Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the commonest communicable diseases to mankind. It has significant morbidity in India. Abdominal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose and we should have high index of suspicion to diagnose it. This study aims to document Epidemiological profile and Clinical Presentations of Abdominal Tuberculosis.

Methods: This study was a Retrospective & Prospective observational study of 50 cases which were diagnosed and treated as Abdominal Tuberculosis between August 2013-August 2018 in Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India. All patients who were diagnosed with abdominal Tuberculosis, whether operated or not, were put on anti-tubercular drugs for a period of 6 months and regular follow up was made.

Results: In our study, out of 50 patients with abdominal Tuberculosis, 28 were males (56%) and 22 were females (44%) with Male: Female Ratio of 1.27:1. There was a higher prevalence of Abdominal Tuberculosis in 4^th decade (36%) followed by 3^rd decade (24%). The most common clinical presentation was Intestinal Obstruction in 13 patients (26%) followed by abdominal distension in 12 patients (24%).2% of patients were associated with HIV co-infection, and 12% of patients were associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.52% of patients underwent surgical management followed by anti-tubercular drugs,48% cases underwent medical management(ATT). Ileo-caecal region was the most common site of involvement.

Conclusions: Abdominal Tuberculosis was predominantly seen in males. Patients in their 3^rd & 4^th decade of low socio-economic group were most commonly affected. Most of patients were of primary intestinal type and in some it was secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. Majority of patients underwent surgical management followed by anti-tubercular therapy.

Keywords: Abominal Tuberculosis, anti-tubercular therapy (ATT), HIV, Ileocaecal region, Intestinal obstruction.