Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate retrospectively extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients followed and treated in the infectious diseases clinic and outpatient clinic.

Methods: The study included patients aged 18 years and older who were followed and treated with a diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019. Data on the patient’s demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, microbiological tests, histopathological examination results, radiological findings, treatments, and treatment durations were collected from patient files and the electronic document management system.

Results: Of the 81 patients in the study, 49 (60.4%) were female, and 32 (39.6%) were male. The mean age was 49.55±18.85 years. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Gastrointestinal system tuberculosis, musculoskeletal system tuberculosis, lymph node tuberculosis, and central nervous system tuberculosis were the most frequently observed clinical forms.

Conclusions: Contrary to literature data, gastrointestinal system tuberculosis was found to be the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Histopathological examinations were found to be at least as important and valuable as microbiological tests in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The rate of extrapulmonary involvement in tuberculosis is increasing worldwide. Tuberculosis should always be considered in differential diagnosis.