Introduction: The incidence of tuberculosis depends on many factors, not only on health issues but also on socioeconomic factors. The aim of this study was to assess the duration of symptoms and the extent of radiological changes in men with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in relation to their socioeconomic status.
Material and methods: This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of 300 hospital records of patients hospitalised in 2004–2006 in the male ward of the Mazovian Treatment Centre of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Otwock. In all patients, the diagnosis of tuberculosis was bacteriologically confirmed. We evaluated the duration of symptoms prior to hospitalisation, the extent of radiological changes and socioeconomic status. We also took into account the place of residence, professional activity, age and marital status.
Results: Among patients with TB hospitalised in the Mazovia Region, 74% were professionally inactive persons and 57% were unemployed. Patients population in cities and villages were similar, but as much as 10% of the patients hospitalised who were actively spreading bacilli in Mazovia Region were homeless. In the study group, 60% of the men were unmarried. In 63% of the patients symptoms of tuberculosis were present for more than two months. Chronic symptoms were reported more often in the unemployed (60%) and in single patients. As much as 81% of the patients at the initiation of treatment, had extensive radiological changes in 3 or more lung fields. Quite often sweeping pulmonary changes were observed in the homeless, unemployed and pensioners. Sputum smear-positive tuberculosis, was demonstrated in 87% of the examined patients.
Conclusions: The incidence of tuberculosis observed in the Mazovia Region was especially observed in the unemployed, disabled and pensioners. Among these patients, many were homeless. The majority of patients in Mazovia Region at the start of treatment already had very extensive radiological changes and the symptoms were present with them for several weeks.