[Characteristics of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]

The purpose of the study was presentation of the characteristics of patients treated for various forms of pulmonary tuberculosis at the Chair and Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis Medical Academy in Gdansk in the years 1977-1991. On the basis of medical documentation the incidence and age distribution were analysed. The proportions of patients with different forms of tuberculosis and the duration of their treatment were calculated. In the selected years 1977, 1982, 1987, 1991 the results of bacteriological investigations confirming the diagnosis were compared. In the light of the obtained data it was found that in the last 15 years there was an increase in the number of patients aged over 50 years. In the years 1990 and 1991 a higher per cent of cases of miliary tuberculosis and caseous pneumonia was found as compared with the years 1977-1978. Caseous pneumonia was diagnosed in 8.4% of all patients treated for tuberculosis in 1977, while in 1991 this proportion was 14.5%. Positive results of bacteriological examination in 1977 were obtained in 57% of cases, in 1987 in 58.8%, and in 1991 in 35 cases, that is 63.6% of all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.