Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
Differences in clinical presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in association with age
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.
Objective:
To study the differences in presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in young adult and elderly patients.
Design:
A prospective study was conducted between December 1999 to May 2000, which included all the patients presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis at the Department of Thoracic Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi.
Patients And Methods:
There were 67 young adult (mean age 30.63 yrs) and 36 elderly patients (mean age 65.92 yrs) with pulmonary tuberculosis. The difference in presentation of two groups were analyzed for statistical difference. Chi-square test was used for testing difference of percentage. The students t-test was used for testing difference of mean. The P<0.05 level of significance was adopted.
Results:
The elderly patients were more likely to have dyspnoea (73% vs 23.9% P<0.001) and non-specific symptoms (62.2% vs 17.9% P<0.001) but less haemoptysis (21.6% vs 46.3% P<0.01). The chest radiograph in elderly patients more commonly had extensive bilateral infiltration (32.4% vs 14.9% P<0.03) and lower zone infiltration (37.8% vs 3% P<0.001).
Conclusion:
The result of our study suggests that elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were more likely to present with dyspnoea, non-specific symptoms and atypical radiographic appearance.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Tuberculosis
