Prognostic factors in patients with miliary tuberculosis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Miliary tuberculosis (MTB) is often associated with poor prognosis, especially when complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
• Limited data exists on specific prognostic factors for MTB, particularly those involving ARDS.
• Understanding these factors is vital for clinical management and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prognostic factors for mortality in patients with miliary tuberculosis.
• To investigate the impact of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) on the prognosis of miliary tuberculosis.
• To determine independent risk factors for death within three months of diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 68 miliary tuberculosis patients.
• Comparison of clinical findings between non-survivor (died within 3 months) and survivor groups.
• Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for short-term mortality.

Main Results:

• 15 out of 68 patients died within three months; most patients were elderly (≥60 years).
• 19% of patients had ARDS; increasing age and ARDS onset correlated with higher mortality risk.
• Independent predictors of death included consciousness disturbance (OR: 81.53), ARDS (OR: 12.0), advanced age (OR: 15.5), and elevated BUN levels (OR: 5.71).

Conclusions:

• Old age, ARDS, consciousness disturbance, and high BUN levels are significant factors associated with poor prognosis in miliary tuberculosis.
• These findings highlight critical indicators for assessing mortality risk in MTB patients.
• Targeted interventions for these factors may improve survival rates in miliary tuberculosis.